I am reading this memorial with tears in my eyes. I never met this girl, but have been a silent part of her life for almost half a year now. I still remember the first picture that was sent to me from a small shelter in TN.
Here you were, and you stole my heart from the minute I saw this picture.
Although I was miles away - I felt a connection with you tiny body and sweet face. You spent almost 3 months in the shelter where you gave birth to 8 little souls and sat with them as they were taken from you to the Rainbow Bridge. How scary that must have been and heartbreaking for a mother.
Finally, through MANY hours of coordination, and with lots of help from your gaurdian angels (the people on here who donated are a few) we got you safe into "temporary" foster care. You were safe, no more hard cement floors and dirty kennels. You went to a GREAT foster home - where your foster parent loved you dearly.
Drew and Meghan treated Miss Gracie like she deserved to be treated, like a queen. She had the best food, collars, medical care, excersize regime and of course, she got her toe nails painted! I can clearly remember how I felt when they sent me this picture...
Its hard for me to type this out, as I can barely see through my tears. Some fall as tears of love and sorrow - yet others fall in anger. Anger at those who decided to breed your parents. Angry at the people who bred Gracie. Angry at the people who dumped you off, pregnant in the freezing weather. You didnt deserve any of that and I pray that you can forgive us - for as a society, we certainly failed you.
But there is also a few things to be grateful for, the young man who picked you up and brought you to the safety of the shelter. Donna, the woman who emailed everyone tirelessly to save you from being PTS. To everyone who donated money, or the people who volunteered for your transport. Mostly, there is Drew and Meghan to be thankful for - and I know that Gracie showed you her thanks many a day with her wiggle butt and kisses. Thank you everyone.
I miss you Gracie, I am sorry we couldnt fix you better. I wish with all my heart I could have hugged you good bye. I hope your short time on earth you had with us wasnt so bad.
RIP GRACIE. I miss you.
Sarah, Buster, and Ginger.