Gracie

Hi. Let me introduce myself. I’m Gracie. I am the second child. Aren’t we supposed to be the easiest? I guess I never got the memo. I am very particular in getting my way, all of the time. I honestly should have been an only child. I was in a foster home until I was one, and then I was adopted. Once I arrived, I immediately made sure everyone knew that I was in charge. My older brother, Charlie, was used to getting everything, but I put an end to that right away. I took his bone the first night. Who cares that he is a full breed and that I’m a mix? I needed to let him know right then and there, that the Queen has arrived.

My poor parents didn’t know what they got themselves into at first. I was pretty small from not getting enough to eat at my foster home, and since Charlie didn’t seem that interested in his food, I’d gobble mine down and scoot right over to his bowl. He was so laid back that he would allow it to happen. This plan only worked a few times until I had to eat in my jail, my parents called it a crate. I didn’t care too much for this contraption. I let them know every night by singing as loud as I could. I can carry quite a tune. As a matter of fact, I have lots of different noises that I like to make. I am very proud of the fact that I taught my older brother how to bark loudly. Apparently, he never felt the need to do that before I came along. Silly thing. So, we would go out into our big back yard and if anything made a noise, I would say “hello” back. I guess my neighbors enjoyed that so much, because they often would call my parents to talk about me. I truly felt loved. I would also make this little squeaky noise when I wanted something; like if I wanted to be scratched behind my ears, or rubbed on my tummy, or if I wanted to eat some of those special treat things. “Treat “ was one of my very first words that I understood. My dad would get this weird look on his face but I knew I had my mom wrapped around my paw.

I didn’t care much for any of the “no, girl” comments that I heard many times when I moved to this new house. Charlie, being the “perfect” first born, followed all of the house rules. He wouldn’t jump on the soft spots that my family always sat on. They expected us to sit in our room or on the floor. What was that all about? One day I went up those stair things and caught my mom off guard. She was super surprised to see me. I don’t know why she seemed weirded out, all of the family people get to go up them everyday. Of course, good ole Charlie was sitting at the bottom with a look like, “I told you not to go up there”. Needless to say, I was escorted down right away.

Then one day, my Mom took me to a new house, with new smells. I was so confused. My brother wasn’t there. Neither was my Dad or the boy and the girl. The girl would come and stay and I was so happy. Then I got to go home and see my brother with the girl. Then the girl and I would go back and see my Mom. I liked the car rides and I liked my new second house. The rules were all different. There was no big backyard anymore but there was a place with lots of water and this weird stuff under my paws. My Mom would always have to wash me off after we came home, but I loved it. Sometimes I even got to run without my leash. I always would meet so many people and they would give me rubs and tell me how beautiful I was. It became one of my favorite places ever. I ended up learning the word “beach” and when my Mom would say it, I’d do my little happy dance and sing a little song. She’d always put the top of the car down and I’d stick my head out and and let my ears flop around in the wind.

Then change happened again. Now the girl and the boy were gone and I didn’t get to see my brother, Charlie, anymore. Mom and I moved again. Many new smells. I got to go outside by myself again. Anytime neighbors walked by I’d always use my biggest and loudest voice to say “hello”. We’d go on walks and I’d meet new people and some different dogs. We could still go to the beach, but It was a different one with different smells and I always had to be on my leash. But that was ok, I still got to play in the water.

The fun part about this new house is how much more in control I have. I get to go up those stairs whenever I would care to. Sometimes, I do my little singsong to let Mom know that I’d like her to walk with me upstairs so that she can open up the little door so I can sit on my throne outside in the sun and say “hello” to all the peasants below. I have many soft places to sleep, sometimes just right next to Mom because I know she really loves me so much. The girl and boy come and visit, and if my Mom just says their names I get so excited. Overall, I just think I lucked out, and I think my Mom did as well. My life is pretty darn great. I really do love being an only dog now. I don’t have to share my treats or belly rubs with anyone else. Plus I get to kiss my Mom all the time to say “thanks”.