Grace aka Gracie-girl, Gracie-goo or just plain ‘Dummy’, my special-needs Yorkie has met her end. Age 10.
Background:
She was slated to be euthanized at a week old. I convinced the Vet to give her to me and let me try to keep her alive or at least die in my loving embrace.
Somehow she lived. 10 years!
She did one thing. She held her pee and poop til I put her on the puppy training pad.
She couldn’t eat. I hand fed her everyday and evening. Of her life. Somedays she would lap water other days I eyedroppered water in her mouth. For 10 years.
Everybody made fun of her goofy walk and her tongue hanging out.
I looked at her and saw pure love. She clung to me like a baby monkey. Most of the time I had her in my pocket or hands.
She wasn’t a burden at 4lbs.
Her special needs were a very small thing. Her love for me and my love for her more than compensated.
I did. I loved that little dumb thing like no dog I’ve ever had.
Saturday she wouldn’t swallow her food. I kept poking it in. She kept spitting it up. I kept giving her water. Yesterday she wouldn’t swallow water.
She basically died of Starvation and dehydration.
At 10yo something was probably wrong. I don’t need to know what it was.
About 2am she just went to sleep on my arm. Never to wake up again.
My poor pitiful dumb Pupper.
Goodnight forever, Gracie-girl.
Momma loved you, every minute of your amazing little life.
My eyes are misting over for you and Gracie. I’m so so sorry. Please know we are all with you, holding you both in our hearts.
She so clearly knew you loved her, she choose you and gave you the greatest honor an animal can-to know they were safe in your arms as they crossed over. Animals are amazing, she may have been the one who called Bayliss to be safe with you, as she so deeply knew she was.
Keep telling us Grace stories so she can enrich our lives too.
Bayliss knows I’m upset. He’s got his head on my knee. Looking at my face. Raising one eyebrow and then the other.
Betsy Beagle is looking for her little mate.
Of, course, the Siamese don’t care one wit. So self-centered.
Dang. I always enjoyed reading about her. I’m so sorry, Beck. She was as blessed by you as you were by her. I can’t help thinking it’s no accident Bayliss found you when he did.
I’ve had at least one doberman for the last 30 years or so. Someone dumped a female doberman just a mile or so from my farm. A neighbor saw the car stop, then speed away, with the poor dog walking into their yard bewildered. I took her in and named her Grace. She had obviously been used as a breeder for litter after litter. She was 7 and had a heart murmur. I took her in and had her spayed. And just a week after Grace same into my life, my 12 year old Doberman Simon died in his sleep. The dog gods sent me Grace, I’m convinced. I had her until she died in my arms.
Sob. I don’t have any wise words except she had the bestest loving mommy all those years. Our own 110 lb Dino the Monster Mouth’s best friend is the son’s tiny Yorkie. I’ll hold her extra tight the next time she jumps on my lap. Denny
Now we know why Bayliss showed up.
Your eulogy was beautiful, as was your relationship with Grace The Yorkie. As sad as it is, she couldn’t have had a better send off over the rainbow bridge.
We’ll miss ya Gracie. Give the chihuahuas over there hell girl.
We all feel close to our pets, love them, feel responsible when their sick or hurt. I can’t help but think that your intervention saving her life, and your needing to feed her every day for ten years, would make you two especially close, and make her passing that much harder. I’m sorry for your pain and loss.
Try not to mourn her, but take joy in the ten years she did have. Every day was one she wouldn’t have had under almost any other circumstance.
