An Ode to my Childhood Dog
Image Courtesy: Anna Kadet
I got the call that my childhood dog, Gracie, had an aggressive and untreatable cancer on the last day of March. After stepping out of my student government meeting in complete shock, my eyes filled and my voice broke as I struggled to comprehend my worst nightmare. I had just seen Gracie over spring break – she acted like a puppy, her usual bouncy, happy self even at 9 years old.
None of us saw this coming. Gracie came to my brother and I as a surprise gift when I was in the 5th grade. As a sophomore in college, she alongside my beloved 14-year-old pug (whose name, yes, is Pug) were the constants of my life: on my heels and by my side through awkward middle school, the coming-of-age in high school, and every opportunity I could muster with her in college a state away. Avid Dawg fans, the pair of them even made both the Old Row UGA and UGA Barstool Instagrams sporting their red bandanas.
Image Courtesy: Anna Kadet
If you’re anything like me, your animals are not simply your pets. Family doesn’t even do it justice. I love my dogs hard because we are their whole worlds, and they should be ours, too. The only thing I could think to do was book a flight as early as possible the next morning, never mind the two exams looming over my head for the week. I had to say goodbye.
On April Fools Day, my family held our dear sunshine dog for the last time. It felt and still does feel like a dream, some cruel joke or prank. To see her decline in just 24 hours was heartbreaking; to say goodbye, unthinkable. Although the grief is something I couldn’t have ever imagined, I am choosing to remind myself of the love she gave to us and the world, of how lucky we were to be hers. What she taught me were priceless lessons I will never forget:
1. Unconditional Love
Gracie was the epitome of a golden retriever in everything she did. This meant “give, give, give” 24/7. She followed us around the house, greeted us at the door without fail, wouldn’t leave our sides when sick, and gave us her famous “golden hugs,” a living teddy bear in the flesh. She was a pure diva and lived for attention, and wasn’t afraid to give it in return. The love she had may not have had words, but her connection with us was undeniable.
2. See the Good in Everyone
A social butterfly and celebrity of the neighborhood, Gracie walked twice a day every day. This meant every dog and person knew her name. She pulled her leash at every given chance to meet someone new, usually dragging us in her determination (she even met Gisele!). Gentle with the little dogs, friendly to the big ones and especially excited to see the humans, she met every living thing with joy and eternal open-mindedness. More times than we can count, she attempted a hello to an unfriendly dog despite their growls of warning. The news of her passing devastated the neighborhood. I think she met each individual with a kindness we all ought to strive for.
3. Loyalty
A woman’s best friend she was. Aside from assaulting us with licks, Gracie was loyal to a T. She was inseparable from her sister (Pug!). On the handful of occasions the backyard gate was left open and the dogs nowhere to be seen, Gracie could be found always lying in our front yard nonchalantly chewing a stick. When given the opportunity to run, she chose to stay within 50 feet of the house and her people each and every time. Now, could she just have been lazy? Maybe. But I’m going to believe she just loved us that much because that’s the kind of dog she was.
Image Courtesy: Anna Kadet
If you’ve made it this far in the blog, you’re probably thinking I’m a crazy dog lady by now. But what you don’t understand is that Gracie wasn’t just a dog, but the shining sun of our family. Orbit around her we did, and my heart will do the same until we meet again.
Rest easy, my sunshine girl. Even the rainbow bridge can’t dim your light.
Strike Out,
Anna Kadet
Editor: McKenna Edwards
Athens