Every morning for nearly 15 years, I have descended the staircase trailed by my faithful, four-footed companion. Call her what you might— a large beagle, or a small hound--my Gracie May has always followed me everywhere.
As I made coffee, she faithfully executed a backyard garden check that the most diligent general would approve of. The perimeter was the first ground covered to insure all was secure. Then, a grid of some sort was run, back and forth, to detect what rabbit, raccoon, or skunk might have dared to intrude overnight on her domain. Only then, with suspicions assuaged, did she return to the house, and turn her thoughts firmly towards breakfast, and our day ahead.
Gracie made the one mile journey to my mother’s house every morning for ,”doggy day care” and was generally pampered and protected. I retrieved her every evening, and we returned home. Such was my darling dogs life—following our daily routine—but she was ever on the look out for spontaneous activity. The nose of a hound gives it liittle respit— and Gracie May was often jolted from her deepest sleeps by something in the air. She was ever ready to travel where the scent of something drew her—and adventure waited around every corner. Our long, evening walks were time so well spent for both of us—in all seasons, she found so many things to explore as we prowled the mean streets of Western Springs after dark.
They say we can measure our lives in our dogs: We only get a certain number of them to share our time with. I am blessed to have had this special, magical and sweet creature in mine—for a more genteel dog could not be found. Her deep brown eyes grasped the world with the insolence and security of a canine that was truly loved.
Her end came rather swiftly. Liver cancer. Undetected, it rapidly overcame her, and she was gone in a matter of hours. We had weathered the pandemic together and were just emerging from it when she was suddenly gone.
I mourn her absence everyday. My gentle, tender girl — who slept by my side, rode in the car, roamed the beaches of Michigan and rocky coast of Maine with me and shared every up and down with equal aplomb for so long. My sweetest dog, with the most silky, soft ears on earth.
I feel your absence so keenly, my darling. I mourn the loss of our routine and easy companionship. I feel the void left by my faithful friend. I miss you my sweet girl, and will see you on the other side one day.
For surely, there are all of our dogs in heaven…..
Gracie May: 2007-2021
