[Born September 25, 1999] I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your clumsy paws and soft fur. You bounced around the room with your eyes flashing and ears flopping. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into… you were my first dane, and you looked so awkward and wobbly. As time passed, you became stronger on those long legs and you continued to grow. I worried about you everyday. Were you limping? Was your tummy looking bloated? Had you developed some rare skin condition? But no… you were fine. It was just my fear of losing you getting the better of me, as you had stolen my heart. I wondered how I could I ever be without you.
You grew to be a stunning big black girl and I started to take you to sanction matches with the hope we would go to a real show one day. That day came and I could have buckled with nerves, but you were strong and you guided me around the ring, as we had practiced together so many times before. The judges liked you and others around the ring complimented you on your relaxed character and solid good looks.
They commented on your smooth flowing movement and most of all, your gentle loving nature. It was not long before you had a few points and you were well on your way to your Championship. I never dreamed of owning a champion and because of you I fell in love with the ring and your breed.
We travelled together to Massachusetts over eight long hours so you could meet your first date. It was your first long trip away and you were sure you could make it home to pee, but after 12 hours you gave in and relieved yourself. I thought you were going to burst! He was a handsome blue boy and he had the gentle nature to go with it. I hoped so much to have a blue girl from this to keep and I asked you to think blue all the way home. Those were the longest 63 days I have ever waited and you were getting to be enormous. You had totally lost your girlish figure! Finally the day came, and as I had asked, you gave me 9 blues and 3 blacks. Two stunning little blue girls for me to choose from. You gave me two of the greatest gifts… Disney and Sky.
After three stunning litters it was time to let you retire, and we took you in for your spay. Spays on older dogs are much more complicated and I waited impatiently for that call to know you were going to be fine. The call came and I looked forward to bringing you home.
I watched you age over the years and your back legs would not allow you to go as fast as you would have liked, but your heart was as strong as ever. You would still follow the horses across the field and keep up with the young pups, if only for short periods. And by morning, your aches and pains would make you suffer for it. Then that day came when you told me… your tummy was hurting. I quickly scooped you up and took you to the vet for the last time. He offered to do surgery but I was sure it would be too hard on you this time. You looked at me with those soft brown eyes and I held you tight in my arms. I wept wet tears on you and you did not complain. You turned those soft brown eyes to me as if to say ‘thank you for for loving me and taking care of me.’
But I looked back into them and knew that it was you who had loved me and taken the best care of me, and without you, so many families would not have been blessed with your children, grand-children and great-grandchildren.
Many of your later days were spent on the futon in the front room and it is so empty without you there now. We call ‘supper time,’ but nobody arises as you aren’t there to let them know that means food. I will miss you with your one big solid scratch on the door to tell me it’s time let you in or out. I will even miss always having butter and bread in the house as you have not stolen it from the cupboard.
I will miss more than anything the time spent at the river or the beach watching you swim. No dane I have ever known has loved to swim as much as you. I would watch and worry… should an older dog swim that long? Could she have a heart attack? But you were so happy. I am sure without you, the rest of your family wouldn’t love the water so much.
Without you I would have never fallen so in love with such a gentle, loving breed, and although our time with this breed is short and it breaks our heart to let them go, they are still the finest, kindest breed to have as a friend; they will teach you all you need to know about love, giving, and endless devotion.
We will miss you always Grace, and thank you for all that you gave. THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF EVERYBODY HAD A GRACE.
Love always,
Danielle
