Just shy of her fourth birthday, I let Grace go. Like the Tin Man, I know I have a heart because I can feel it breaking.

Gracie's illness finally took away her capacity to enjoy her life and then it was time.

If there's a personal heaven for each of us, and in it are the best of our lives on Earth, Grace will be in mine. She delighted me no end.
Her fairylike ears, her delicate prancing ways, her amazing speed.
What a head-turner I had in that girl.

Would that I could be reborn into the life this dog had. I think it was a good one. I think she knew complete contentedness. Days full of trots through the Presidio, long sprints on Baker Beach, lots of other dogs to greet, lots of people loving on her every day.

Thank you so very much to all my friends and family who embraced this other-wordly little creature with her strange, darting, wiggly ways.

For now, Anabelle and I soldier on and wait for the day we'll all be together in our personal heavens once again with Grace.

I leave you with a list of words I've collected from people who came across my Graciella Rain Steam and Speed. Some from family, some from friends, mostly from strangers she brushed by as she raced through her brief time with us.

My Gracie was a kangaroo-dog, gazelle, giraffe, bunny rabbit, Bambi, prancer, ballet dancer, trotter, Tennessee Walking Horse, super model, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, princess, spark plug, racer-dog, lightening bolt, bullet, cuddle-bunny, living hot water bottle, deer, fawn, lamb, elf and fairy.

We will never forget her.

Bonnie & Anabelle