My Pet

Welcomed By: Brigid & Brian

I adopted Grace around Labor Day of 2004 from the local Help for Homeless Pets. I saw her picture on their web page where she was described as being possibly part wire haired pointing griffon. They had named her "Woofie". When I went to meet her she was out in the general population helping the workers round up a bunch of kittens that had busted loose. She was very gentle with the kittens and very concerned until the last one was caught and put back in the secured area. Then she got up on the couch with a little Chihuahua that had a bum leg. Whenever another dog would get close to the Chihuahua Woofie/Gracie would get between the other dog and the Chihuahua--just being protective.

I brought her home and she drooled out the window the whole way. I wondered what I'd gotten myself into. Brian did not want me to get a dog because we had a very old cat (Emily) and he was afraid a dog would stress her out too much. Gracie barked and barked at Brian, but she was so kind to Emily and Emily loved Gracie. Em couldn't hear anymore so Gracie became her ears. When we drove up to the house Gracie would go to the door to greet us and there was little Emily right behind her. Emily hadn't done that in years!

When Emily died Gracie seemed kind of lonesome. I got the bright idea to get another dog and that's how Gator came to live with us. She is a tolerant soul as he heels her and snaps at her and licks her ears until they're slopping wet. He barges out the door and back in again always having to be first. And Gracie patiently stands aside until he's out of the way.

I had her DNA tested and the results were that a primary genetic marker could not be identified possibly because the lab I used did not identify the breed but most likely because she doesn't have enough of any one breed to identify. The secondary marker was Rottweiler and although she does not look like a Rotti, she is protective and very alert. Her "in the mix" (tertiary) genetic make-up was poodle. She looks a bit like a standard poodle especially when she isn't shaved. And although she looks a bit like a poodle, a water dog she is not. It's taken me four years to get her to wade in the river.

She had been abandoned at Help for Homeless Pets in the middle of the night so they didn’t know anything about her. I don’t think she lived in the lap of luxury but she has adapted nicely. She’s a tough dog but she loves to sleep on the couch!

She is the greatest dog--loyal, patient, kind, and smart. She's mellow in the house but can have a really good time out of doors. And best of all she always lets us know if anyone is going by the house with a short burst of woof woof.