Life has been nothing short of exhausting lately, in all aspects, and the past couple months are somewhat of a blur. Contrary to what is seems, I have not given up on blogging and as summer approaches, I anticipate having more time and energy to get back to regular posting. I appreciate that people are missing me (Thanks Auntie Kathy!) but I am also disappointed to have missed out on documenting my experiences with my current foster dog. I love going back and reading about and remembering the dogs of my past. That is, after all, why I started blogging in the first place.
I have had her since Brodie left. Almost two months now since Gracie has joined our family. She is a big dog, the biggest female we have ever had. She is a sealed brindle which means she is solid black and even looks a little blue in the right light. A real beauty. But at just a year old, she has been quite a handful. As our dogs reached that perfect middle age stage of life, it's easy to forget what it's like to have a puppy in the house. No shoe is safe! Hell, nothing is safe. I went outside the other day to three different blankets lying in the yard. She dragged them out through the dog door! She loves bras, slippers, paper, sticks, rocks, the list goes on. You really can't take your eyes off her!
She came to us from Broken Bow, OK. She had been found as a stray at only 9 months old, taken in by another rescue, and adopted out. Unfortunately, the rescue failed to educate the family on what owning a 60lb boxer puppy entails, let alone one who had been living on the streets and had zero training. They were an older couple with two toddler age grandchildren living with them. They didn't have the ability to exercise or train her and were in completely over their heads. After having her for a couple months, they did the right thing by her, admitting that they couldn't provide to her what she needed and giving her to us.
I'm not sure where the initial assessment of Gracie took place, but we were told that she needed to be either the "only dog" in the house, or be with another "submissive dog." I had my doubts about that, being she was barely a year old. I assumed her massive size and her untamed energy were deceiving and she was prematurely judged. Still, we don't take chances with inexperienced foster homes and Gracie had to sit tight until Brodie was adopted so she could come here and we could figure her out. We were right on the money. Not a dominate bone in her body. Quite the opposite, she was actually very submissive when she met our dogs.
Interestingly, it was Jax that took the reins with her initially. Dixie usually obsesses over new foster dogs, never leaving their sides. She seemed almost indifferent to Gracie being here at all. Jax showed more patience with her shenanigans than he typically does and they have formed a strong bond. Eventually, of course, Dixie did warm up to her. Good thing, because they have to take turns keeping her entertained.
She is exhausting, but we all love her.
I am currenlty working an adoption application on Gracie. They live in Kansas, so I am trying to arrange a home visit, but their references are glowing, so I have high hopes.
