Gracie was our 3rd lab over the last 25 years. She came to us in Nov of 2003 as an 8 month old lady who just wouldn’t hunt. She was the perfect dog for us. She was smart, obedient, beautiful and full of life. Best of all, she loved people, in fact, she existed to give love to any and all who would talk to or pet her. We could take her anywhere, and people loved to take her if we travelled because she was just
so loving and well behaved.
We had 10 great years with her, but sadly in June of this year she was diagnosed with lung cancer. After consulting with 2 vets, it was decided that surgery wasn’t an option because of how the tumor was lodged, and both vets felt chemo wouldn’t add any quality time to her life. They told us to take her home and enjoy her. We found a great supplement for dogs with cancer, and my primary vet put her on Rymidal to help with swelling and pain. My vet thought she might have 3 months, but in the end we had 6 1/2 months, and outside of the last 2 weeks, they were pretty good ones.
2 days ago she got to the point she was choking and wheezing almost anytime she walked, and then started spitting up blood, and we knew it was time. We got to hold and kiss her as the vet put her to sleep, all the while looking into her eyes and telling her how much we loved her.
This is the 3rd time we have been through this, so we thought we knew the routine, but this time it’s hit us like a ton of bricks. She was our constant companion for 10 years, she was everywhere in our house, and it seems so empty without her. I think I see her out of the corner of my eye, and still start to do routine things before catching myself as I remember she is gone forever. She was a tremendous blessing to us, and she so enriched our lives, both my wife and I take comfort in knowing we will see her again as we both cross the bridge and eagerly await looking into to those trusting and loving eyes, and getting to hold her again, for all eternity.
With all our love,
| Gregg Smith |