Lucy: her life and our loss

When Gracie became part of our family, she entered a home with two other dogs. We had a wheaten terrier named Lucy, and Camelot's Lullaby (Lottie), an old english sheepdog.

 

We lived next door to my husband's office and Lucy was the official office dog. Every morning after breakfast and brushing, she would stand at the back door of the house. I would open it and say "Go to work!" She would run across the lawn, around the building, and stand on the back door of the office, where she was let in.  She visited everyone who was there or entered later. She loved her job. One year, when we ran a newspaper ad with a photo of our staff, Lucy was in it!

 

Lottie, as most sheepdogs, have less energy and preffered to relax at home. Having a puppy around made relaxing a bit more difficult, but she was a good sport.

 

As years passed, and as it seems to happen, our Lucy became less healthy. She developed kidney disease and could not go to work anymore. One night in January that I remember as if it were yesterday, six-month old golden retriever Gracie came to the side of my bed and kept licking my hand untiil I woke up. When I looked at her and asked if she had to go out, she ran instead to another part of the bedroom. There was our Lucy, having difficulty breathing and starting to have a seizure.

 

I petted Lucy and told her it would all be okay. My husband was awakened by the loud thunder and bright lightning -- unusual for a thunderstorm in January where we live. Once I became almost  frantic, my husband picked up Lucy in his arms and told me to stay in the bedroom. I did. With Gracie.

 

He, my brave and kind husband, sat in the living room holding and petting Lucy until she gave up her fight. The rain continued to pummel the house and the thunder was deafening . After I said goodbye to Lucy, my husband sloshed out in that ferocious January storm and gave Lucy a spot that she always liked -- second, of course, to the office. I still miss her but I will always be grateful to our new pup Gracie for knowing to wake me that night.