Our treasured and much-loved Gracie is in God’s lap now , and my heart is breaking.
She was an old soul from the beginning. Kind and gentle and quiet, she brought peace and tranquillity wherever she was, whenever she was. Her purpose in life was to soothe the distraught, the sad, the angry. And soothe she did………
Her death was peaceful, just as her life was.
There are no words that could ever express what she has meant to Byron and me for the past 10 years or so. She was a four-legged, multi-colored, long-eared , sweet Parti Cocker Spaniel who blessed us every minute of every day.
When Dr. Mac called us from the Lavonia Animal Hospital all those years ago to say that there was a rescue Cocker available, we responded immediately and met Gracie. She was approximately 2-3 years old and was found wandering in the Canon area. A kind couple with young children had kept her alive by feeding her scraps, but she needed a real and loving home. And so it was…………
I believe that God has a plan for all of us, including dogs and cats. His plan was for Gracie to grace our lives. And so she did every day in every way.
Who knows what her background was ? We’ll never know. What we do know is that she was well-trained : polite , disciplined , and gentle , all traits that we humans could learn from.
She stood back for us to walk ahead. . She shook her head ” No ” when she meant ” Yes ” to go out. She sat for her treats. She never barked, no matter the circumstances. She slept when we slept. She never begged for food. She stayed out of the way, never underfoot. She sensed our moods, our privacy, and respected those.
A watch dog she was not, but , rather, a sweet, sweet spirit…………….
Dennis, our son-in-law , once said about his own dog , Janna, ” People who don’t believe dogs have souls have never looked in Janna’s eyes “. Nothing is closer to the truth.
Our Gracie will be missed. She was so much a part of our lives. She was the sunshine on a rainy day, the love to the world’s hate, the calmness to any turmoil, the warmth to the cold———and our much-loved baby.
Heaven is a better place with Gracie there. I can vouch for that !
We will all miss that sweet Gracie!
Yes indeed. It’s a real void now. Enjoy your family. Love……
I’m sorry you lost Gracie. She was a precious member of your family and we love our family! The first time I saw Gracie was in the front seat of your car and I fell in love with her.
I remember. We knew for the last 3 days or so that she was dying. But she was at home in her comfort zone and died as she lived, peacefully. Loving you from Lavonia…….
I’m so sorry, Diane. It is really hard losing a family member like that. Hope your sadness is soon replaced by just the happy memories.
She was a sweet girl and her life was better because of you and Byron.
Silly, perhaps, but putting her in her bed and covering all but her face for the night simply helped me put to rest what we were losing.
Thank you for being here for us. It meant much.
I am so sad to learn of dear Gracie’s passing, but happy to know that she lived her best life, loving and loved, each and every day of her life with you and Byron. All dogs deserve such a fine experience, for they are truly angels on earth.
I will be thinking of you both as you adjust to daily life without that dear girl, knowing that she forever has her very own spot in your hearts.
You have said it all. Thank you.
So sorry to hear this I know you loved her and she had the good life
You are so sweet to think of us in your time of grief. Thank you.
So sorry to hear that Diane.
She was beautiful as well.
The kind of love and devotion that Gracie provided to your family over the years is almost impossible to match.
I am hurting for you and Byron.
David
Thank you——and you are right on ! She was just the kind of loving friend that two aging people needed. What a Godsend she was!
Diane losing a beloved pet is losing an important family member. God bless you both.
Thank you. Sad times for us, but this, too , will pass.
Miss you…….
I realize how much she meant to both of you! Happy she was able to bring so much joy to you and Byron. Thinking of you both
Sue
Thank you. I find myself looking for her in her favorite napping places. She was special.
I am so sorry you lost such an important part of your family. I don’t think there’s another dog with her sweet and calm personality. You and Byron were very fortunate to find such a sweetheart. Love you both.
Thank you. It’s been tough. She hasn’t eaten for 3 days ( even smelly canned chicken ) so I knew she was gone. I put her in her bed, covered her with a sheet, and let her spend her last night at home as usual. We are sad. You know. You’ve been there.
RIP Gracie. You were a lucky puppy and your loving family was enriched by your love and loyalty. Blessings as you cross over the Rainbow Bridge
🌈🌸🌈🌸🌈🌸🌈🌸🌈🌸🌈
We were all three lucky ! She will be missed. Right after she died I put her in her bed, covered her with a sheet, and she spent he last night at home where she belonged. Her vet and our friend picked her up this morning for cremation. I look for her in her favorite napping spots and probably will for weeks.
Sympathy to you both in the loss of your dear family member. Your Holidays will not be the same without her but you are both resilient and will be fine but it may take some time. Blessings for you both. 🙏🙏
Thank you for reading my tribute. I find myself looking in all the corners where she napped——and reaching for a snack for her.
She was really a special lady.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I am just now learning this news and feel so bad for you and Byron. I understand how hard it is to lose a sweet member of your family like Gracie. I have thought about that precious dog since I met her at one of Pastor Hugh’s Blessing of the Animals. Sadie and I were sitting close to you and I couldn’t stop looking at Gracie. She saw my extended open hand, gave me a gentle look, then slowly took a couple of steps to let me pet her. What a sweet, gentle and beautiful dog. Just know that your Gracie found a place in my heart for her that day.
You are the sweetest, Gail. Thank you for remembering Gracie personally. It means much. We are sad, sad, but know we were blessed to have her with us as we aged. She was an old soul along with us !
I treasure your friendship………
I have been blessed getting to know you and Miss Gracie over the years. She was an absolute treasure. Myself and the girls at Lavonia Pet Salon will truly miss her.
Thank you for all these years of helping us care for our sweet Gracie. You and your team were always welcoming, making Gracie and us feel safe and secure. We will miss y’all as we miss Gracie. Thank you for loving her.
I know you are heartbroken. Gracie was a special dog for sure!
Love,
BSS
I know you ” get it ” ! I find myself looking for her and saving a bite of dinner for her ——-and feeling a gut punch when I realize she’s not here anymore. This, too, will pass, but she will forever live in our hearts.
Thank you, BSS !
I’m sorry I didn’t get to know Miss Gracie. Your tribute to a beloved family member is so very beautiful.
Thank you. I believe we are soul sisters when it comes to our much-loved family members, all of them !
What a beautiful eulogy to your Gracie! I am truly sorry for your loss. They say time heals a broken heart, I think time just teaches us to live with the ache in our heart.
Thank you.