Hi, I'm Gracie.  I was born in Strykersville, NY and my forever home is in Caledonia, NY.  Mom says that I'm the speed racer of our clan.  I have a mom and pop, a sista pup, a brotha cat, and 2 cockatiels.  Mom says for my age I'm well trained. I know the everyday commands like sit, lay-down, "paw" and "other paw" and have learned to say please.  I have also mastered "bow" and "one,two, three, catch!" yet I still have to work on stay.  I'll stay- that is until mom is 10 feet away- then I just can't resist coming to her to get some lovin'.  I am currently tickin' my mom off for not coming when called.   I am proud to say that I am a big sister and I'm just showing off to my sis that I'm off a leash...hence ignoring mom when called.  Mind you, I always come running as Lady goes inside (that means a TREAT!!!).   My superior dog training is on hold 'cause my sister has to catch up.  I don't care...I LOOOVVE my sister.  We are partners in a crime fighting ring headed by my mom---UhOhhh- I said too much!    Mom gave up on teaching me to go to the back door and bark to go outside- I developed my own system- I just lay my nose on her arm and look at her with my ever-adoring puppydog eyes.  I may pee right away but poo.....SORRY... first I want to see if my neighboring kitty, doggy and kid friends are out and  practice my crime fighting moves with my partner.  Priority number two for me is to work on digging to China, chase bugs, find sticks and stuff like that...unless I really have to go! (Heck, I'll just ask mom again after we go inside!)  I've gotten down that when mom calls I better come to her and have heat on my heels to get to her- no lolly-gaggin' around!  She fooled me with treats for so long that when I see her arm go up and turn and she says, "round it up" I know it's time to do the deed and come inside (and, of course, get a cookie!!!)  I sleep with mom and pop in THEIR bed until they roll and shift- then I go to the floor.  I have a bed of my own next to mom on the floor  but I never use it.  Lady and I have over 50 toys in our own toy box- well two- one upstairs and one downstairs, although our favorite toys are dad's shoes and we can't resist stealing socks as mom tries to fold them and sneak them outside whenever we can.   I learned to swim at 10 weeks old...in my hot tub!  I have my own lil' pool that I love to splash and play in, then I run around the yard like a mad doggy!  I can't wait to share it with Lady!  I also love howling whenever the fire siren goes off and my mom loves to howl with me!  I also love going camping and go out with mom and dad on their boat all the time.  I've now gone swimming in three of the Finger Lakes and want to tackle them all!  I have these super-webbed paws and can swim really fast, although I don't like waves.  I also have my very own life jacket, so if mom or dad are dumb enough to sink our boat- I'll be fine!  I have to admit I have the good life.  

My spirit lives on.  I was only with my mom for 4 years but those were the best years of my life.  When I met her I feared water and didn't have much self-confidence.  With her I learned that I was worthy of coming up on the couch, bed, and easy chair.  My mom did a world of good for me and she told me each and everyday that I did a world of good for her.  I helped her to get up each and everyday and do what she could while she dealt with Crohn's, Ankylosing Spondolitis and depression.  Everyday she showed me so much love and encouragement.  On her good days, she and dad took me camping and hiking and as we walked through the woods, with dad ahead and her behind, me in the middle, I kept turning back to make sure she was OK and was keeping up....I NEVER wanted to lose my mom!  When we got to the creek I ventured out...the first time I trusted to go into the water....into the flowing water.  It felt good around my legs although I wasn't too fond of the deeper water and came back to sit with mom in the shallow water near the shore.  We ventured out of the woods with mom & pop and once we got home we lazed around in our recliner as we had done so many times in the past once I learned I was allowed and that I was one of the family.  I learned many fun tricks with my mom and one of my games I taught her was "keep-away", toss me a ball or toy and I would try to keep it away while bringing it just within reach of her and running away with it.  I also loved Hide-N-Seek.  Before I knew it mom was out of sight (maybe behind the door in the bathroom) and I would look for her and I always found her because she'd giggle as I turned away to look elsewhere for her, then there she was!!! Givin' me lovins', pets and kisses.  I loved my pop very much but mom was my life.  I knew exactly when to jump into bed with her (when pop get in the shower) and snuggle all morning.  By the time they got married, 2 years after I joined their clan, I was so comfortable with them and knew that they would do anything for me.  It was only then I went diving off the dock at their honeymoon cottage chasing sticks and fish and swam back ashore.  I would give anything to have more time with them but God had a different plan for me.