We may or may not ever be able to make an announcement that "we're pregnant"...but we have come to understand that the blessing is the fact that however parenthood happens, it is a miracle! ....... Now we have been home with our precious blessing from Russia since August 2007. Join us on our fun and crazy ride that we call "life with this child of mine."
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Let me introduce you...
...to our chocolate lab, Gracie.



(I know I still have to post about Bridges' family vacations...however, I'm feeling a little lazy about having to scan "old," non-digital pictures. I promise I will get around to it. Today I want to begin a series that focuses on our pets and how they came to be a part of our family.)



Anyway, Gracie was born on May 10, 2002, but we didn't know her then. At the time, Nathan was actually doing Homeland Defense in Tampa, FL. He was there - I was here - and we were in the process of moving away from N Alabama. We were moving into a new house and with Nathan gone much of the time, he decided to allow me a puppy for my birthday.

Since Maizy (our dog that had passed away the previous year) had been a lab, we knew we wanted a lab - and so we did a little research and found a pretty reputable breeder in this general area. So we made the drive to pick up our little chocolate furball - and we immediately fell in love with her! Here are a couple pictures from that first day (sorry for taking the lazy way out and taking a picture of a picture):






Mia & Gracie -- once upon a time, the same size!

So that was July 2002. Not terribly long after that, I decided to take an extended vacation to Tampa, but I could not take Grace with me. So my friend, Ginger, took Gracie & kept her for me. Gracie has always loved Ginger, and I think it goes back to those few weeks that they were able to bond. And I will be forEVER grateful and indebted to Ginger for "housebreaking" Gracie in that time.


Anyway, like I said, that was 2002, and we are now in 2007. Gracie will be 5 years old this May, and she is already getting gray in her face. We fondly call her "old graybeard" - but I don't think she takes offense to that. She's still very playful and one of the most well-behaved dogs you will ever meet! She's been through fun and exciting times, as well as deployments and lonely times.

I know that these posts may cause a heated debate (please, though, no debating!! :) on whether or not animals can actually be a part of the family - but Gracie got me through some very lonely parts of life - with only minimal chewing and very few accidents. However you feel about animals being a part of the family, I think if you met her, you'd think Gracie was an alright dog. :)
Written at Wednesday, January 10, 2007 by Melissa.
6 comments
6 Comments:
Blogger Lauren & Cupcake said...
Hi Melissa-

I think you are one of the only blogger pals who I do not have yoru email. If you a chance, click the link under our photo for my direct email. If you email me I will save it on my blogger pal list. Thanks
11:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Since Heathcliff joined your family, Gracie hasn't been to visit our family in north Ala, which I know is b/c of travel-space constraints. She seemed to enjoy the wide open space she could run & play in & splash in the creek when it had rained. An added story a/b Gracie -- how your dad forgave her for almost "killing" him when she went after Kyle's football that Nathan & dad were playing with, keeping it away from her -- but she remedied that & got it anyway -- Gracie tackling dad and him doing an unexpected gymnastics maneuver in mid-air :o) An added note: Melissa always wanted to bring her pets indoors as she was growing up & we did on the very coldest of nights...however, that was something I was not in favor of on a daily basis, so I told her when she grew up & had a place of her own, she could do that if she wanted...so she & Nathan did just that.......and now you know "the rest of the story" :o)
11:51 AM  
Blogger Nathan said...
I would say Gracie is a GREAT dog!!
3:07 PM  
Blogger Deb said...
She is such a pretty dog. When we get a dog I am hoping to get a choco lab myself. Of course my hubby wants a small dog. :o(
7:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Oh, I love those pictures of baby Gracie! She was such a smart, precious little pup...still is, except a lot bigger! Thinking back to that summer so long ago, I'll never forget how she would talk (uh, bark) back to me whenever I had to tell her "no" about something. It was difficult to scold her with a straight face...and she knew it! That Gracie girl will always have a special place in my heart!
9:11 AM  
Blogger Leah said...
Hi Melissa.. been reading your blog for a while.. decided I should comment instead of just being a blog stalker. :).. We are long time friends of Nathan's family.

Love your pet pics.. we have a miniature schnauzer and yes, he is SO MUCH a part of the family.

You guys are in our prayers as you continue your journey.
4:30 PM  
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