In Honor of Feistiness

A Not So Feisty Moment

Those who know me or have followed this blog regularly know that my dogs are an integral part of my life.  They are much like children, however, we do honor their “dogginess” and have never resorted to dressing them, carrying them in grocery stores or nightclubs, or taking them anywhere that a dog would not of his/her own accord choose to go, unless it smelled food (alert!) or another creature (high alert!).  We also have no problem locking them in the house alone and allowing them to eat off of the floor.  Much of the joy of living with animals is, well, that they are animals.  And even in being animals, they have so so much to teach us. 

Gracie is our elder girl, 15 just this past March.  She’s had a rough time these past 11 months.  She began losing weight last summer, with no visible or recordable cause found.  Then she had vestibular syndrome, which really took her to another level, much like a stroke would affect a person.  This caused her to have several physical issues, plus she lost her ability to recognize food, and worse, she became afraid of her food dishes.  Like she needed that with her weight loss issue.  So basically, since then, I’ve been her full time care giver.  

Still the Boss

One thing Gracie did NOT lose was her Feisty.  She was born a ball of fur and mischief, a loner that had no problem looking you in the eye or taking on a challenge.  Intelligent, fast, quirky.  We used to take her to the school yard nearby and let her loose.  That girl would just run....for no reason but that she could.  A blur of fur, tongue and teeth as she zipped around the fields in ecstatic abandon.  A marvel to watch. 

At just a few weeks old, Gracie would “eyeball” us.  Look us straight in the eye, no relenting.  We knew we had a challenge, so as she grew we took her to obedience school, where she became the first example for needing discipline in her puppy class.  I grin, because she graduated with flying colors and went on to be an agility champ.  But she was bored after her first runs. She’d look at me as if to say, “ I just did that.  and exactly WHY do I need to do that again?”  Always ready for her next challenge.  Gracie became our alpha dog pretty quickly.  (well, next to me.  I claim the Supreme Alpha position in our household. Hey, I can claim. ) 

Gracie has been with us for 15 years.  Ernie’s running buddy up until the last few.  Her body has deteriorated, with spinal issues, weakened legs and now, a mass quickly taking over her esophagus and trachea.  Yet she’s never, ever lost her will to live or her spunky playfulness.  She continues to defend her place as Alpha Queen and won’t hesitate to put another furkid in his/her place. She still will bark to the world that this is her territory and she's still defending it. To watch her frail, bony body run as best it can after her younger packmates is a wonder to behold.  

Two days ago Gracie became quickly and suddenly ill.  She’s been in critical care since then. She is fighting aspirational pneumonia, which comes with her condition.  Her time is short. I am filled with inconsolable grief. Gracie is coming home tonight and we will assess her desire to continue to be here, with her pack.  I’m hoping she still has her feisty.