My dear Grace, where do I begin to tell you how much seeing you on camera has meant to me? Let me try...
We had just put down our beloved 12 year old German Shepherd in May 2012 after a cross-country move. He had been my almost-constant companion for the last 11 years. I felt lost without him and understandably so. As his veterinarian had said, it was hard to have played God with his life, to have made the decision that no more could be done for him and the guilt that goes with making that decision ate away at me. Even more than a month later, this was my routine...every morning, I would drop my daughter off at summer camp and come back home to sleep until it was time to pick her up. I did not want to unpack, did not want to make friends with my new neighbors or any of the usual things people look forward to. I wanted something I could not get....to be reunited with my dog again.
It was my lucky day when I found the live camera. At first, I found solace in watching Holly with all her mostly sleeping puppies. Then one night I watched while you were awake, Grace...all by yourself. You entertained yourself rather well and brought a smile to my face. It happened the next night as well. I don't know how it was that I caught you awake alone...maybe you took longer than your siblings to fall asleep, but it was you...I could clearly see your collar. The third night, I couldn't wait to go online to see if you would be awake again. And you didn't disappoint. You were just a bundle of joy and I enjoyed watching you awake, by yourself or with your siblings.
I started waking up early to watch the camera...maybe I'd catch a glimpse of you in the morning before I dropped my daughter off at summer camp. After drop-off, I'd log back on to watch to see you play with Abby...yes, you have always had a soft spot for her. Soon I realized I was looking forward to doing something again...I was looking forward to watching you! You are beautiful, intelligent, graceful (of course!) and don't mind your siblings stealing the spotlight.....but you should know, my Grace, that you are well on your way to healing wounded hearts....in fact you have already healed a grieving heart...my grieving heart....and for that I am eternally grateful to you.
I adore your gentle eyes, your pretty face, your fabulous personality.....you are content to play by yourself but can stand up to Levi and Lucy (when they push you!) I love that you shadow little Mia when she is around. You are so good with her.
Your foster family should know that I would love to be in their shoes! I hope you are showered with the same kind of love and affection that I showered on my own puppy. I know you will bring much joy to them.
You will make us proud by healing the wounded warrior that you serve, and all those involved in training you to become a service dog...I just know you will be a stellar companion!
Gracie, there's tears in my eyes as I write this...I won't see you on camera much longer, but I will have all those sweet memories of your puppy days. I hope we get updates on how you are doing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me find peace within myself. Love always and God bless you!
Fellow EPWS, feel free to write a wish for Grace or share a memory or two about her! Thank you.
Grace, sweet, calm, soothing Grace. Love you and you will make your puppy parents and WCC proud and make a wonderful lifetime companion.
ReplyDeleteI too wished I lived closer to the Wounded Warriors so that I could foster one of the gorgeous dogs that work in their program...Good luck to your foster family and be the sweet pups we all know...
ReplyDeleteSweetie-pie Grace... What can I say? I think you have turned out to be my favorite. You surprise me when to play ferociously with your siblings. You amaze me when you are so tender. And then I see you sitting off by yourself as if you are seriously contemplating something. I know you will endear yourself to every heart and every life you touch. I hope we get to follow your incredible journey ahead. Thank you new Puppy Parents for guiding our precious Grace along the way
ReplyDeletePenny from California
Hey sweet Grace. Have been watching you and the gang of 6 since mid July. You have always been my favorite. Will do my best to follow your joruney. The people you touch along the way will be forever greatfull for knowing you. Wihsing you a marvelous journey!
ReplyDeleteHeatindex (Ken)
Amazing Grace – and you are sweetie. You are now becoming confident and strong! I miss seeing you romp with all your siblings, but you are growing daily into the role you were meant to play. I know you will become a loyal friend and service dog for a wounded Veteran.
ReplyDeleteGeorgeous Grace - you sure have come out of your shell, the past few weeks, and that makes me so proud. You seem to have always been the Gentle one. I am so proud of you and can not wait until you go into th next phase of your training an onto a home that Momma Molly chose expecially for you. We will love you always.
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My Dear Sweet Gracie, You have been my favorite. I will truly miss you and your adorable charm. Oh yes, you do have an adorable charm about you. You could come across as a softy when you want to but oh how you know when to turn it up a knotch and show your tuff self. You never let Levi get the best of you and you could always take care of yourself. Your foster parents will quickly fall in love with you just as I have. Now it is time for you to spread your golden wings and share your adorable personality with our wounded warriors. As you take the next step of your journey, please remember all the love you have received and share that with our warriors. I will miss you dearly.
ReplyDeleteDear sweet Gracie. Thru these last days when only you and Levi are left at Molly's, I've seen you grow tremendously in spirit. You and Levi will always share a special bond and a special place in my heart. It's winding down into the last days and I know your lucky foster parents and your eventual warrior will be getting one tremendous Golden. Love and luck be with you and your families.
ReplyDeleteGrace: You have always stood up ti your big brother Levi and kept him in check. Now you and he are so much fun to watch wrestle, tug of war and just laying side by side. I think Levi feels he is portecting you when it might be the other way around. Good luck and I am sure your new family will love you more than anything.
ReplyDeleteGrace, you are an angel in fur clothing. You have a sweet gentle presence, befitting of your name.
ReplyDeleteWhether it be charm, generosity or goodwill, you embody them all, and more.
The gift you have given so many of us is priceless. The love and compassion you emanate has been so healing, as well as your playful nature. Many times I'd be laughing at the antics you and your siblings would be getting into.
I know your puppy parents will be blessed, as well as the veteran you will eventually be placed with for I believe you, and all of your siblings, will be successful in your training.
Thank you for touching my heart and soul. Thank you for making me laugh and bringing tears of joy to my eyes. I am forever changed.
All my love to you sweet angel.
Gracious Grace
ReplyDeleteEasy going, not the most rambunctious, didn't get into trouble, the quiet one. Molly knew you needed a little more time, away from all the other pups to show who you really are.
And show us you have! Being there with just Levi has given you the confidence you needed to shine. You've really come out of your shell & are ready for the next step. Now you're no pushover when wrestling with Levi. You've learned how to be brave & strong & learned a lot from him. You're ready, plain & simple!
Go get 'em, Grace
treeski
Little Grace, I always thought you were the gentle soul of the bunch the way you would follow little Mia around like her kindered spirit. Then you were alone with Levy. Boy, did you ever learn to hold your own! Ah, we will miss you but know that you are ready to move out and learn to be the loving, guardian to some mending heart. Good luck Grace. You are a special puppy with a big heart and so much love to share. God Bless you little spirit.
ReplyDeleteGracie......I have watched you mature into a confident, spirited and loving puppy. I have such faith that you will change the lives of your Puppy Parents and your Wounded Warrior. I wish for you a life full of people who love you, a healthy body to do the work you need to, and happiness always. God Bless you Gracie and know you have already blessed us who watched you grow.
ReplyDeleteI know it's time for you to begin your mission, little Grace, but oh how I'm going to miss seeing your sweet gentle spirit, your enthusiasm, your curiosity and the wonderful bond you've forged with your brother. I know you'll give all the love you have, sweet Gracie ... my hope for you is that it will be returned ten fold.
ReplyDeleteLove, reddogs
Gracie: I will never forget one of my visits with you and your brother and sisters. I sat down on the ground in the pen, like usual, with the hopes of being swarmed by all of you. I had on a pair of shorts, with my cell phone tucked deeply into the pocket. I felt a little nibble and looked down to see you hard at work, burying your entire pudgy little snout deep in to my pocket. Further and further until you grasped ahold of my phone and began to pull it out. You never gave up until that phone was out of my pocket and on the bricks. Your showed your tenacity, determination and wonderful spirit with that simple act. These traits, combined with your sweet personality and your gorgeous good looks will get you far. Your healing powers are more than you could ever realize. You and your mission in life are both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGracie - you're such a SPECIAL pup and I'm gonna miss watching you daily. But you're ready for this next step and I know you're gonna be a fantastic companion for your Puppy Parents and beyond. I look forward to following your progess. We're all gonna miss you as will your brother, Levi. Have fun, Grace, and go get em!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Flipfloppingal
Oh my, our darling Grace, your time has come. You sure have showed Levi & all of us little one. You have brought such joy into our lives & will continue to do so on your journey. We loved you first & God Bless You Gracie.......
ReplyDeleteSweet Grace - You are an incredible, sweet puppy and I know you're going to go on and do great things! I can't wait to hear all about your adventures at NICOE. I'm sure you'll be at the head of the class!
ReplyDeleteGrace -
ReplyDeleteYou are growing up so fast and we are so proud of you and love you so much. You are a treasure and will bring so much joy and love to your wounded warrior. Always in our prayers, and we can hardly wait to hear of all your adventures,
Love,
Laurie
Grace, thank you for providing me such comfort watching you grow, play and learn. You bring tears to my eyes knowing I'm not going to be able to see you anymore, but I rejoice in knowing you will bless your wounded warrior companion. You will be an asset to their lives. God Bless you Grace! sgoga
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Sweet Gracie - it has been such fun watching you grow. You certainly enjoy playing with your brother Levi! I know that you will go on to do such great things. You are wonderfully smart! Be well, Gracie -
ReplyDeleteGrace, such a sweetheart. We got to watch you with Levi for so long we will really miss you. Hope your puppy parents know what a sweet smart girl you are and will give you all the attention you deserve.
ReplyDeleteDear, Dear Gracie...Been thinking a lot about you today. I miss you so much already! Wondering how you are doing with your new foster family? I bet they are already 100% in love with you! I remember you first stood out to me when you were sick and I was so worried about you. Thankfully, you bounced back. You then really had my attention. I thought you were the quiet/more serious one - watching you with your brother and sisters. Then, your sisters moved on and you really came in to your own! So playful and so generous with that speciality of yours...the Turkey Pose! You had me laughing over and over again. But you were also so tender...and so concerned at times (I had a nickname for you..."Pacey Gracie" when you were in "concerend and/or worry mode". All of the qualities mentioned above will be so important to your Wounded Warrior. You are such an incredibly special little girl. Godspeed, Gracie. We will be following you on Facebook (AND Dogbook ;) and hoping your foster family would be so kind to get lots of pics and video for us who love you so.
ReplyDeleteSweet beautiful Gracie,
ReplyDeleteYou were the one, in the beginning, that I would most worry about. Often alone, and not by choice, and so wanting your mama's attention. You've grown into a beautiful, self-confident, heart warming love. And I will miss you dearly.
Somehow you crawled deep into my heart, and you will stay there forever.
All my love,
Harli's-mama
Grace what can I say my precious little girl. You stole my heart the first time I met you and that's when I knew we had a special bond and you became my favorite. You remind me so much of my Taffy when she was a pup. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend time with you and your Brother Levi. I'm so glad I have those moments captured in photos to look back on, and so happy that you have wonderful puppy parents and a furry friend to spend time with on a beautiful farm. I will be even happier when you find your Wounded Warrior and your special bond in formed. Show him or her all the love you have Gracie. I have no doubt that you are destined for greatness. Work hard Grace and play harder. You have left paw prints on my heart forever. I think about you everyday, and miss you so. I hope one day we will meet again. Luv you Grace. <3 Alice
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