Lunn's 'Say Goodnight Gracie

9/10/1994 - 5/24/2002

"G R A C I E"

1995

With Breeder/Co-owner Sue Musil

April 1996

THE MANY FACES OF GRACIE

March 1997

My "Wallpaper" Picture
(I told her that wallpaper paste wouldn't hold! :-)

Dec. 25, 1997

Quizzical Gracie

November, 1997

Going for the windblown look
(With just a hint of aloof :-)

November 1997

Not about to give up the couch to her mom Taylor :-) (April 1998)

It's the neighbor lady, it's the neighbor lady!! l-r: Air Gracie, Lucy the Ballerina and Uncle Kelsey (not about to show his naughty bits to a perfect stranger!!!)

If you don't play with me Lucy I swear to God I'll throw you in the lake!

It breaks my heart to have to add this last update to Gracie's webpage. I even considered deleting my entire website but I just couldn't bring myself to erase all of the images that seemed to capture perfectly the essence of Gracie. For the past 7 years I've shared her life with all of you - now I share the saddest news that anyone who's ever loved a pet can share ...

On Friday, May 24th, I came home from work to find Gracie laying on the living room floor, struggling desperately to breathe. I rushed her to the vet's where Dr. Manubay immediately took x-rays, suspecting that perhaps Gracie was bloating again, but the x-rays told a much more dreadful story. Gracie's right lung had collapsed and the resultant air in her chest cavity had caused her heart to shift badly out of position. Dr. Manubay immediately aspirated her chest to remove the air while his assistant held an oxygen cone over Gracie's mouth but as soon as he removed the needle Gracie started struggling to breathe again. We set out for the emergency clinic, less than 10 minutes away, where there would be an oxygen tent and a chest tube waiting for Gracie. Sadly, before they could even begin treating Gracie, her heart stopped and they weren't able to revive her.

Wanting to know what had happened to my girl, I asked Dr. Manubay to do an autopsy. He saw several large spots on her lung and a large hole where he suspected a 3rd large spot had been. A tissue sample sent to a pathologist showed no sign of cancer but did show evidence of chronic pleuritis (an inflammation of the lining of the lung), something that had never been detected during any of Gracie's annual physicals. The pathologist had no plausible explanation for what had caused the hole that resulted in Gracie's lung collapsing. After seeing her lung, Dr. Manubay said that there really wasn't anything that could have been done for Gracie. I don't think there's anything that can be done for the ache in my heart either except to try to think back on all the joy she brought me over the past 7-1/2 years.

Sleep softly, my Gracie Annie-Fanny -- dream of sunny days and starry nights with never another thunder storm to frighten you -- dream of endless hours of playing ball with no fences to get in your way.

You'll be in my heart until the day I die and join you at the bridge.

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you.... I loved you so. 'Twas Heaven here with you."

(Isla Paschal Richardson)

My last picture of Gracie
As always, running like her hair was on fire

April 10, 2002

I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown

Gaye Cocoman (reddogs@en.com)