My heart is absolutely shattered.

16 years ago in the 3rd week of September,  2009, I held my beloved best friend Grace for the first time, and in the 3rd  week of September 2025 I held her for the last time.

I am so lost without her. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I can't imagine what my life is now without her.

I can only hope, in time, I'll be able to cope without her. But as I write this tribute, I'm just really not ok.

Grace came into my life just when I needed her, more than I even knew at the time. She literally changed everything in my life like nothing and no one, (except for my children, of course), had before, or since.

Working from home meant that we were rarely apart for more than a couple hours at a time. We literally spent every single minute of every day and night together, side by side, for 16 years.

She really was my whole world, my life, my everything.

Grace never met a toy that wasn't "hers," a puppy she didn't love, a dog she couldn't befriend, or a human she couldn't train to pet her. 

Contrary to her breed, Grace hated swimming and she refused to retrieve. In fact, she was quite insulted if she brought you her favorite toy, and you accepted it only to throw for her to have to go and "retrieve" it. You would be met with a disappointing glare, and you never got a 2nd chance to take her toy again. 

She was truly love by everyone she met, both dog and human. She was everything every good dog should be and so much more.

I miss her so much I can barely breathe. 💔