August 8, 2023

Welcome to the new format of the Gracie Update! I’ve consolidated the collection of daily Gracie Updates to a website, raisinggracieblog.com. Future updates will be generated from this site.

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August 9, 2023

A special Haiku from Gracie…

In my neighborhood
Ripe, stinky, smelly odors
I LOVE garbage day!

August 13, 2023

Summer = Swimming + Sticks

When Gracie and I go to a stream, if there are no sticks handy for me to throw to have Gracie retrieve, she’ll scavenge the shallow areas of the water searching for one. She’ll often dip her whole face into the water, pull a stick out, bring it to shore and assess it for gnawing. Some sticks seem to have exceptional “chew ability” and will keep her occupied for a while – like this sizeable one she recently fished out of the Schuylkill River:

Yesterday, at the Willows, I threw sticks for Gracie to retrieve AND she foraged the stream for even more sticks. She carefully placed every stick she retrieved and scavenged onto a rocky bed in the middle of the stream as she assembled her own little “stick island.”

August 17, 2023

About 10 years ago, my financial advisor at the time asked me what my goals were for retirement. I looked him in the eye, and with assurance, I stated, “My plan for retirement is to get a dog, take it to the woods, and throw sticks for it.” He laughed. I was dead serious. (I didn’t mention a few other intentions I had for retirement such as vacationing in the Caribbean).

And here it is 10 years later – and I’m living my dream! (At least part of it…)

😊

August 21, 2023

Our doggie friend Rascal is getting up in age. Rascal, unfortunately, has always thoroughly disliked other dogs. He typically growls and barks- wildly and protectively – when he spots another canine. But last weekend, when Gracie inadvertently ventured into Rascal’s space, Rascal tentatively sniffed Gracie and then engaged in play with her. It was a breakthrough!

Who says “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”?

Rascal and Gracie…

August 26, 2023

Gracie Update – August 30, 2023

Because of expected rainy weather, I took Gracie to daycare yesterday. When I dropped her off, I perused and selected “Nail Trim” and “Anal Gland Expression” from the à la carte menu. “Expression” – such an elegant adjective. Like the gland is doing some sort of meaningful dance. I’m aware now of what an “expression” entails, and I know it’s not as delightful as it sounds.

Maybe it was due to my not getting much activity yesterday while Gracie was at daycare, but last night I had vivid dreams of exercising with friends. I dreamt we were in a tight group, and I was squeezing between people as I worked out. I woke up from all of my movement and found myself with my head at the foot of the bed, underneath the covers, bi-pap on, struggling to get out! Good grief! (Gracie slept through it all.)

Today I made sure both Gracie and I had plenty of time outside! I’m getting adequate activity while she sports her freshly expressed gland!

Below, Gracie with playmates at doggie daycare yesterday. It seems to me she’s asking, “You’re expressing WHAT???”