Tx Dane Girl

Cancer Sucks. Really Sucks. We have had several experiences with cancer. None were good. None made me happy.  This past year we had two encounters. Pepper ,our tri Corgi had breast cancer, her second time. She made it through surgery and is still with us today.My Pepper is always near my side and I am thankful. Gracie, one of our Danes, was not so lucky. I noticed that Gracie’s pastern was a tad swollen and took her to the vet. I knew seeing the swelling that it was osteosarcoma – the swelling on the pastern is often the first sign you see of the cancer, by the time you see it  – it is too late. We xrayed, biopsied and prayed. Prayed that it wasn’t so, prayed it was something, anything else but it was what it was. I decided to take Gracie with us to Kansas to the GDCA Nationals with her daughters and Bree. Carol ,Nina and I had the most wonderful trip. Everyone that met Grace commented on how pretty she was, how kind she was – it was seen by all that met her. It was only marred by the fact that I knew that every day was a blessing and my time with Grace was to be brief.

I can’t say that I was there when Gracie was born, John and the boys delivered her litter and updated me all day at work. Grace was special from the first day, she was always a good ,kind puppy, never a problem,only wanted to be with her people. Gracie was the same throughout her life. She showed because we asked it of her, never because she loved it. She protected Viva and her car because she loved Viva. She totally won over Carol to the breed by sitting on her lap and staring soulfully in her eyes until Carol fell in love with her.

Grace was a great mommy, giving us Vin,Gianni,Ida, Sherman, Honey,Lulu, Reece, Wyatt, Sookie, Riddick, Sugar,Hope,Chaos,Gus, Angus, and two more whose names escape me – leaving an indelible paw print behind  forever, thankfully.

I had more time than most, less than some. Gracie’s days were good, with soft cushie dog beds all over for her, kisses and hugs. I worried that she knew I cried daily, I tried to simply enjoy being with her but it was so hard to look at my beautiful girl and know my time was so short and I was so powerless. Gracie was graceful to the end. She let me know when it was time and I honored her as best I could.Doc Sherry and her staff were supportive and kind and though I already love them, I love them more for helping me so kindly that awful day.

I miss my Gracie daily. I love her daughter and son that I have with me. I love them and give them her and their kisses daily. I am so blessed to have had my Grace. She gave me so much, her blessings are with me daily and I am thankful.

I miss you my Grace, I always will, you took a giant chunk of my heart with you. I know you are with your mommy,grandmommy and grandpa and that all is well where you are  – there is no pain, no limits, there is sunny days, cool breezes ,shady places to lay and we’ll all be together again, where ever dogs go to heaven that is where I want to be. One day.