Amazing Grace

Meet Grace .
A foster beagle with personality plus a whole lot more.  I was given this dog on Good Friday and was trying to think of a name.  The Sandy Hook school shooting had been on the news.   Feeling sad as I watched the little faces of the children while I held the latest love in my arms, I saw the face of Grace.    A beautiful blond haired, blue eyed smiling child.   The name touched me and I looked down and called the new pup Grace. 
 This sweet pup came to me as a "dump" on the city streets.  She was being feed by many and just ran loose for months.   Each breed of dog offers it's own challenges and strengths and my first thought upon seeing her was ... "Beagle.. oh my"
Needless to say she has stolen my heart with her whimsical ways and high level of intelligence.   She is a service dog candidate and learning quickly.   Some dogs want to learn, others play, and a few please every moment of their day.
After we got past the explanation of why we don't bay at everything in the city limits she progressed rapidly.  Daily she astounds me with reaching far beyond her limits to learn.   She loves to "find"  treasure for me.   One day it was a huge turtle walking on the other side of the fence in the brush, other days it is a cat hidden in the long grasses that line the front fence.   Every day we play "squirrel tag".   Not familiar with this game?  I'll explain.   Grace invented it.   She used to run full blast to the back fence and chase the squirrels off their feeders , sending them scatting up the trees.   Soon she decided that was not fulfilling to her.   She began to watch them from the back step.   Waiting till they were busy eating then slowly sneaking down , inch by inch, raising her paw and pointing in a stock still position called  "Whoa" .    I thought to myself, this dog is part Pointer.   Showing her high degree of intelligence, if there was a squirrel on a feeder the was a bit farther from the trees, she would make her way to the side lot (adjacent to the main and fenced)  and slowly stalk from over there.   In essence coming up behind the busy squirrel.  With this method she was able to get within feet of the feeder.   As she made her way the last few feet I would see her turn her head away when the squirrel looked at her, only stepping forward when he looked away.   I truly believe the squirrels enjoy this mentally stimulating game.    She never catches them, I don't think she intends to.   The little guy scampers up the tree and will look down at her flashing his tail.   Since the squirrel never "barks"  at the dog , I believe they are not fearful of her.
"Tag"  is a wonderful source of exercise and endless amusing mental stimulation.
It has been quite awhile now that Grace has been  "Amazing"  me.   She comforts me when I am sad, hurrying to my side from a sound sleep before I even know I am needing her.   She cuddles with me in bed, keeping me safe and cozy with her velvety soft ears.  Her awareness of my mental state, whether it be happy or sad, and her willingness to share and comfort makes her a fantastic candidate as a service dog.  Gentle and loving people of all ages she fits in well with every encounter.   Grace offers me a lot of material to write about.   Every day she will bring laughter to me and when the cold beagle nose presses firmly against my nose, her staring into my eyes with that soulful look asking "What are we gonna do today Mom ?"     I can't help but smile and say  "I don't know yet Grace but whatever it is will be fun with you !"


                                                                      ©PawEarFull  Legacys