Missing Gracie
by Gregg Smith.........................................
We were blessed to get Gracie on Nov 12 2003, when she was 8 months old. She was a started Lab who just wouldn't hunt, and her owner didn't want her anymore. She had 3 months of wonderful training, so she was a joy to have from the get go. Both my wife and I fell instantly in love with her, and we spent 10 wonderful years with her.

In June of this year she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and after consulting with 2 vets it was recommended not to opt for surgery due to her age and the position of the tumor. They also advised against chemo because they felt it would make her last few months a misery and not add any quality time to her life. They told us she had maybe 3 months and to take her home and enjoy her. They did give us Rymidal for pain control and we found a great cancer supplement for dogs, so that's how we treated her. She ended up lasting 6 1/2 months and for the most part they were pretty good, until the last couple of weeks. On Tuesday Dec 17th we had no choice but to put her to sleep. She was struggling to breathe and coughing up blood. The vet was wonderful, and we were there to hold her and look into her eyes as he administered the injection. In 30 seconds she was gone, this vibrant and beautiful lab was no more. We have been through this on 2 other occasions, but this time the grieving is worse. Our other labs we either raised on our farmstead our during the time when we had our children at home. We loved them, but they were much more independent and outside all the time. With Gracie, the moment we got her it was just the 3 of us, and we had moved into town, so she was a house dog and with us constantly. We take comfort in the fact we do believe we will see her in heaven, but as you all know, right now all we feel is the loss of a loving and trusted member of our family. She was the most loving dog we have ever known, even people who didn't like dogs liked her. She existed to us how to give and receive and love, and she will be forever missed.

Thanks for letting us share this, writing and talking about her helps, especially with people who know the feelings we are feeling. My heart aches and goes out to all who suffer the loss of wonderful pet/companion. They truly are gifts from God, and we are forever thankful to Him for the gift of Gracie.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Gregg Smith
 
  321-784-1468 
Tech Support
The Rainbow Bridge Pin
The Poem