As told by Susan Rosenberg, PETCO Foundation National Adoptions Manager
Gracie never had a chance to be a dog, stuck in a tiny crate all day and night, no one to pet her, no one to care. She was treated like a forgotten toy.
Her family thought it would be fun to have a small purse dog, a dog to carry around and show off. They found her at a pet store. Price did not matter. They were determined to have a trophy.
The family never trained Gracie. Never completed her vaccinations or spayed her. It should not have been a surprise when she had an accident in the house. It was then that poor little Gracie was banished to the crate. Forgotten and alone for hours and hours she would learn to spin just to keep busy. You see dogs need something to do. They will find something to do. Sometimes they spin, others choose to chew and others self-mutilate, but rest assure they will find something to do.
After several years the family could not stand the odor any longer and took Gracie in her tiny crate to the local PETCO store and left her at the back door. Even in her abandonment the family did not do it right. Somehow they were able to walk away from a tiny little dog that needed help. Gracie was near death with a major infection all throughout her head. All of her teeth were rotten and her eyes were swollen shut from disease. The shelter partner considered humanely euthanizing her right away until one of the staff members reminded them that there was someone nearby that would help this poor little dog. That’s where I came in.
All but four teeth had to be removed. Her vision was gone and her eyes permanently white from the infection. Due to her unusual looks it was hard to find a foster home let alone a family to adopt her. After several foster home attempts I realized that Gracie would be better with me so home she came, a permanent home to call her own. It wasn’t long before Gracie took charge and also took Poppie as her own Seeing Eye buddy. Poppie and Gracie are inseparable. Poppie looks after Gracie, bringing her food and leading her back in through the doggie door.
Somehow Gracie can tell when I am in the room. She comes out of her cube and tilts her head as if to listen for me. She is so beautiful I cannot believe anyone could miss treat her. It makes me feel so good to know she is finally happy and safe. I am in love again!
Please help us be the voice for pets like Gracie. Always promote adoption, education and ask every customer to donate to Tree of Hope. There are many others like Gracie out there that need us.