Update On Gracie

As promised, here is an update on Gracie:

First of all, a huge thank you from Gracie and I to you and Jesse both for your kindness, compassion, love and support. Also Gracie's life wouldn’t have been possible with out the help of Abbotsford Animal Hospital in Aurora.

As for Gracie's health, she is doing quite well. She still continues to struggle with her Pemphigus on her nose, around her eyes and a touch on her feet. We are currently treating it with a mild steroid cream. I find the best help for her face seems to be CONSTANT baths. Once and sometimes twice a week. This especially helps her face. We have bought boots for her to play in the snow with, which she loves to pieces, and her feet do not seem as chapped on the bottoms when she wears them. PLUS she just looks so darn cute in them. Gracie continues with her omega oils on her food every morning, along with Vitamin C and E and a benedryl in the morning. We have changed her food; she no longer eats vegetarian food, she is eating a higher protein kibble now. She also quit enjoys BREATH BUSTER cookies as a treat…we enjoy when she eats them too. J Further, she has gained 10 lbs since she came to live with us. She weighs in at a strapping 49 lbs, which is perfect for her frame.

Two weeks ago we noticed that she was shaking her head a lot and really crying over her ears. Darren and I took her to see Dr Jory again (her knight and shining armor) and he ran a few tests and found out that she had an E-Coli ear infection. Poor Gracie. We have been treating that with ear cleaner and a medication that is squirted into the canal. Gracie is NOT too happy about that. :)

Gracie still continues to be “unsocial” with the neighborhood dogs. We have managed to get her to stop barking at them when they walk by, but on walks she goes haywire. This is something Darren and I are going to have to invest some time and money into, to get her to at the very least appreciate other dogs. We also agree that it would be nice to be able to go on doggy play dates with friend's dogs.

Even though Gracie doesn’t like other dogs, I have faith in her ability to re-socialize as she does like Squirrels and birds, she watches them playing in the front bushes and running across the wires in total amazement. What a silly girl.

Gracie has learned to chase a ball (need I mention NON STOP, 24-7, even when she is supposed to be off in dream land) HA HA HA. She sits on command, stays very well, shakes a paw, waits to be invited on the couch to snuggle and stays on her “couch blanket”. She doesn’t beg, remains in the yard while out for play time and bathroom-ing, plays with her stuffed animal, and respects all things that are not hers.

Gracie had a 2 day sleep over at Grandma's house and my mom reported back that she was a little angel. I was a little worried she would break out on her face from stress, but she was looking tip top when I picker her up. My mom laughed as she told me that "Gracie is a high maintenance dog", I agree, but she is well worth the time and effort.

Many people say that Gracie is lucky to have us, but Darren and I both feel that we are truly the lucky ones. Gracie is the most courageous outgoing dog with the hugest love for life I have ever met. Her will to survive and enjoy life is outstanding.

I will keep the Gracie updates coming along with pics.

Again, my deepest & most heartfelt thanks to all that have helped Gracie; especially those who saw the diamond in the rough.

XOXO

Jodi, Darren and Gracie

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