First off, a big thank you to everyone that works or volunteers at animal shelters. It’s heartbreaking work, I know because I used to volunteer. In fact, I had to stop volunteering because I adopted a second dog, alittle terrier mix named Gracie. I was really afraid I would adopt them all if I continued volunteering!

The story on Gracie:

My parents are saints really. They didn’t used to be your typical dog people, but they let me bring my Guinness and newly adopted Gracie to their house every weekend, and babysat them like grandchildren. That is until they fell head over heels for Gracie the first weekend they met her. On that first day they saidshe wasn’t "too pitiful", although she was still really scraggly and timid, fresh from the shelter. Two days later I couldn’t wrestle her from their laps.

That’s when the miracle happened. My dad always thought dogs were too much hassle, especially since they travel in a motor home, but he is absolutely crazy for her. You can tell this by the countless pictures of Gracie in the house, and on his computer screensaver. My mom shows her affection by always buying Gracie toys, t-shirts and treats, and let me tell you she is one spoiled dog! In fact, they both love her so much that these two grown adults fight over her attention. It’s very amusing to watch!

There is a quote by Roger Caras that goes “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. I’m sad that I never got my Gracie Girl back, but this is one unbelievably adored dog. And the good news is that I still get to see her on the weekends.

Susan Blees, on behalf of Gracie, Karen and Carl Rebman