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| Gracie ... a heartbeat at my feet. |
I could not imagine
losing our dearly beloved companion and the pain and sadness it would bring.
For many of us with
furchildren, our chosen animals are much more than pets - they are dearly loved and valued members
of the family. Grace was the epitome of unconditional love …
she adored everyone and shared herself amongst all of us … usually reserving
the cuddles and attention to those who needed it most at the time, whether they
be suffering health issues, relationship problems, or just feeling down. She knew intuitively who needed comfort most
…
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| Teeny tiny Gracie ... 2002 |
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| With her buddy Max |
She was a mixed breed
who was chosen for her smaller size and hypo allergenic coat. As I work and study at home, often in a
solitary environment, I wanted a companion who would suit being inside often
and be happy to keep me company. If I
was at work in the office Gracie was under my desk, if I was in my studio, she
was right next to me. She loved human contact more than anything.
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| With our Cozzie who lived to be 16 |
She was the heartbeat at my feet … a shadow at my side. I realise now because I was with her 24/7 that I spent more time with her than anyone else in the last ten years. Happy times.
Gracie was also extremely loyal and intelligent, a good watchdog with an acute sense of hearing which made us feel safe. She was very obedient and easy to train, always wanting to please, with the sweetest nature that never went unnoticed by those who knew her.
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| Beautiful soul ... |
We asked a lot of her
… there have been a number of family traumas and trials over the past few years
and at the end of the day sometimes the only thing that made sense was holding
a warm, happy puppy with the softest fur you had to touch to believe. Even though she lived almost ten
years, Gracie was the eternal puppy … joyful, cuddly, funny and soulful with
the sweetest nature … she touched the hearts of many who knew her.
Poor girl must have
been worn out from all that loving and healing.
But appearances showed she was happy and healthy, so we felt we still
had a lot more time left with her and many more memories to be made.
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| Toys all around the house .. |
After playing during
the day and enjoying the spring sunshine, she ate her dinner and was impatient
to come inside. I was busy with work and
she was resting in her bed at my feet.
It was only moments later she suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and
collapsed in front of me. Within two
hours she passed away in my arms.
Gracie’s passing has
hit the family hard. We realise how much
we turned to her when times got tough and the comfort it brought. I will be eternally grateful that she did not
suffer a long illness, even though it has been so difficult to come to terms
with her sudden death.
We miss the beautiful
soul that she was, her constant presence … and we struggle to adapt to the
changes in the household.
After almost
ten years to no longer wake her up in the morning to go outside, not checking
on her to bring her in or make sure gates were shut and doors closed, at dinner
time that she is not there waiting, not being at my feet during work and study,
no barking at the front door to let us know guests had arrived, no soft furry
teddy bear of a pup to cuddle late at night when everyone else had left.
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| Constant companion ... |
I will endeavour to
replace the sadness with endless gratitude for all the joy she brought to our
lives, once my heart stops hurting so much and it’s easier to breathe.
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| Best dog ever ... |
So, enough of my
sadness. That’s the price we pay for being
blessed with her unconditional love … and it is a small price to pay.
Thank you sweetheart,
you have left us with so many happy memories.
Our life with you could fill a book and we all miss you so very much.
Thank
you for easing our pain so often, for
being the smile that was missing when times got tough.
I am
eternally grateful for the time you shared with us and we will never forget
you.
