Anything But Standard

On Sunday the 7th of February 2010, I was travelling to Temora NSW to pick up my 2 new mares .... The day started out great, and I was excited about finally being able to pick up the new mares and take them straight back to our new property. 

Between Binalong and Harden, I saw a stray dog...A fawn coloured greyhound...  She was painfully thin, could barely walk, and hung her head low as she limped along the side of the road... I decided to turn around, horse float and all, to try to catch her. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't at least try.

She didn't stop to wait for me, she just kept walking... I did another u-turn and parked in front of her this time, and grabbing a spare halter lead from my car I followed her. She finally stopped and waited, looking dejected .... She was exhausted, so after slipping the lead around her neck, I carried her to the back of the 4wd and pulled some oaten hay across the back for her to lay on .... 

I carried on, with my new passenger in the back.... She eventually felt comfortable enough to sit down, then to lay .... Occasionally I'd glance over my shoulder to check her, and she'd be watching the world whiz by out the window, a look a relief on her face... We drove to Temora, picked up the mares, then drove back to Goulburn to drop the girls off .... The whole time, my new passenger laid quietly in the back .... I'd stop every hour or so, lift her from the car so she could have a toilet break, then lift her back into the car .... I gave her food and water in small amounts, which she accepted quietly...

I cried ... I cried alot .... What the hell is wrong with some people? Anyone who lets an animal get like this, doesn't classify as a human being as far as I'm concerned...

She probably raced in  her younger days ...She has tattoos; I plan to find out who she is ... 

Now she's back home... She finally feels safe enough to lay down and close her eyes long enough to fall asleep ... She's got 2 friends at home, but they're not too sure of her just yet ... 

But for now; meet "Gracie" - the day I picked her up:

Monday 8th February: I took Gracie to the Vet first thing in the morning .... She has no microchip... Her vital signs are all good, but she's very weak ... She has little muscle left, they've all wasted away .... She has infected gums, and several tumours that need to be removed ... But the main thing is getting her strength up again; she cannot have any anaesthetic while she's this weak.... So that's our main goal right now; get her well enough to have those tumours removed... She's given penicillin, and I'm given more tablets for her to take; one every 12 hours....The Vet asks me to keep in touch. 

I bring her home again, and this is the start of her journey... She has a strong spirit, that's for sure .... When she recovers fully, she'll become our mascot here at ABS .... It's only fitting really... I'd bet money she raced at some point; I'll soon find out ....

She's finding the cooler weather a bit much, though she seems to prefer being outside today, laying on a mat and shivering ... I bring her inside, but she goes back out ....Accepting that's where she wants to be, I drive to the local pet shop and get her a doggy-rug .... 

You can see the bone definition along her legs and hip; I'd wager you could count every rib and vertebrae too .... But she likes her little red ruggy and the shivering has stopped; I hope this is the first of many happy-snaps to come :o)

Wednesday 10th February: It seems that Gracie's story is attracting a lot of attention, so I thought it only prudent that I put another update up.

If she's made it this far, it would be safe to assume that she should make it to a full recovery ....She is improving with each day... She's still pretty weak, but she's much more alert now .... She watches where we go, will follow us, and will rest her head against our legs when she gets to us ... She's now coming up to me and stuffing her head under my hand, flicking it onto her head; an open invitation (or polite request) for another pat; and the the look on her face is nothing short of pure bliss .... She spends most of the day on her rug, with her head on her pillow; yes, life is hard for Gracie now!!

 She's eating and drinking in style, in fact, she made it quite clear it was snack time at 2:30am this morning, so I dutifully got up and fixed her a small meal .... Silver service must be great... 

She is now at the stage where she can actually get out the door on her own, it's only one step, but she was too weak to even do that on her own .... Now, she gets both front legs out, then does a little pop and scoots both back legs through....

Her road to recovery took a bit of a step back today though. Her strength is improving, but she's still very weak ... Today, she felt the need to attempt a stretch while standing; it didn't go well ... Before I could grab her and support her, her back legs collapsed and she ended up in what I can only describe as the doggy-splits .... She cried out and I got to her as quickly as I could, positioning her so she was comfortable again, but now she's a little tender and having difficulty in getting up ..... There doesn't appear to be any damage, just understandably sore. I'm keeping an eye on it .... 

But she's one strong girl, and it seems she doesn't have any intention of giving up ....  :o)

Enjoy today's piccy, she's certainly looking a bit brighter!!

Update: 25th February: Wow, it's been a while.... Sorry!! For all those following, Gracie is doing very well!! ... Well, AFTER I had to go and rescue her from doggy jail .... It seems that in her old age, Miss Gracie is still yet to learn that wandering is BAD! I had forgotten a gate (actually I didn't know that one was even there) and while the 2 terriers were happy to stay, Gracie went walkies and got herself 'arrested", after a frantic search that lasted over the weekend (seems the Goulburn Pound is only open 8:30-9:30am on the weekends, and all numbers listed on the website are WRONG), she finally came home after I paid her bail .....

BUT, exciting news!!! Gracie can RUN!!!! I was so excited when I saw it - she ran to greet us when we got home, something she hasn't done before .... It wasn't quite the graceful greyhound gallop, but it was a run no the less .... She's also greeting us with hilarious 'seal-like' howls when we get home, her tail even wagging away .... Her weight gain is still going well, still a long way to go, but she looks nowhere near as wasted these days ....

Needless to say, all gates are double/triple checked to keep this wandering matron at home!

Update - Thursday 29th April 2010: .... On the 27th of April, we sadly said goodbye to our beautiful Gracie girl.... We came home late to find she was unable to move, her system has simply shut down .... At 15, I suppose we knew that it was coming, but it never makes it any easier .... We called the Vet straight away, and at 9:30pm at night he wasn't really that happy to hear from us .... After insisting she couldn't wait until morning we took her to the surgery where she was put to sleep ....

We are still terribly upset by her loss, but are very happy we could give her a great life in the short months we had her .... We watched her go from an emaciated mess who barely left her rug, to a happy dog who could run and play again! ... She would greet us every night with what we affectionately described as her 'elephant seal' impersonations....  

Gracie now rests in a beautiful spot in our yard, that overlooks the top 2 paddocks, and gets the most beautiful sunsets. She looks out over the hills in which she can now run, totally free from pain and the life she had before we found her. 

In her dedication, this poem was written for her:

Autumn Leaves
Copyright, and dedicated to Gracie.

The autumn leaves are falling
On the ground and in my heart.
For the Rainbow Bridge is calling
And it comes now time to part.

Your true self near restored
Taking on your name of Grace.
Your spirit more than willing
While your body lacked the pace.

We were with you till the very end,
Your eyes then lost their light,
But did you know, you had your fans
Who followed with your plight?

You’re resting now dear Gracie,
In a place of perfect peace.
You’re forever overlooking hills,
Where you can run released.

I sat with you this evening Grace,
And watched skies pink and blue.
The beauty of that setting sun
Pales only now to you.

The autumn leaves are falling Grace,
But no longer do I fear.
For the Rainbow Bridge is calling Grace,
And I'm glad that you were here.