Everybody has a story: Dog owner is wrapped around Gracie’s little paw

One day I was feeling lonely, being a single older citizen living alone, and I asked myself this question: Do I want a man, or do I want a dog?

After weighing the pros and cons of each, the dog won. I went online to find a list of breeds my allergies would tolerate, and then went to the Humane Society website, and there she was, a little 8 pound yorkie who came to them as a stray.

I went right down, fell in love and adopted her. They told me to come back for her the next day after she was spayed and microchipped. I then went shopping and I bought her a bed, car seat, dog carrier, toys, leash, harness, sweater, coat and food.

The next day I picked her up, my little girl whom I named Gracie, and my life changed! My bedtime went from 11 p.m. to 9 p. m., as each morning at 5:15 a.m. she was beside my bed, pogo sticking up and down to wake me. I did not have a fenced yard, so I walked her on those dark, cold mornings with my key, flashlight and poopbag in hand. One morning I forgot my key and had to wake a neighbor to call me a locksmith.

Gracie had her share of carpet accidents, and I had to have the carpets cleaned several times. I discovered her haircuts cost more than mine, and her vet bills were not covered under my Medicare. Anywhere I went for more than seven hours required a pet sitter. Gracie was frightened by fireworks, so we had to leave town near and on the Fourth of July to hole up in a quiet motel somewhere. Gracie does not like dry dog food, so I give her diced up fresh pet food along with fresh chicken tenders.

It is evident that she has me wrapped around her little paw, but I would not have it any other way as I love her to pieces. My friends tell me if there is such a thing as reincarnation, they want to come back as my dog!

Everybody Has a Story welcomes nonfiction contributions, 1,000 words maximum, and relevant photographs. Email is the best way to send materials so we don’t have to retype your words or borrow original photos. Send to neighbors@columbian.com or P.O. Box 180, Vancouver WA, 98666. Call Scott Hewitt, 360-735-4525, with questions.