We named her Saving Grace

by Judy M.
(Cary, IL)

And we called her Gracie. She was the most human dog I have ever known. She died yesterday (Jan 30, 2009) after surgery performed for a bowel obstruction. She was a majestic 10 year old Newfoundland Dog.

Perhaps we were in denial that her body was failing, her heart was weak, she struggled to get upstairs, she couldn't go on long walks or even swim in the lake, she seemed to aspirate when she was eating, and was on medication for urine incontinence. But she still smiled at us and wanted to be everywhere we were in the house. When she needed emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction there was no question if we would do surgery on her. But her heart just couldn't take it and she died the next morning.

I am most sad that I couldn't be with her the moment she died - as I had been with her so much in life, but my husband was there and she was surrounded by compassionate Vets and Vet techs. They did everything they could for her, but it was just her time to go.

I will miss her greatly, but I know that we had a wonderful 10 years together. She went on vacations with us and we included her in most everything we did. As I said before - she was the most human dog - she understood most everything we said and responded to normal sentences. At 10 years old, I knew she was not long for this world; so often I would just hug her and tell her how much I would miss her when she was gone. And she always hugged me back.

Good-bye My Gracie. I miss you so much!