In 2018 we were privileged to bring Gracie into our lives. We gave her a wonderful life and she filled us with love. Thank you for all you do on behalf of these amazing gentle giants. We wanted to let you know of her passing.
She was rescued in 2018 in Kentucky (left). At the tender age of one year old, she had three puppies of her own. Patsy Cline (as she was called then) was an enterprising Mom who brought her three puppies (Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson) to a nursing home looking for help. The residents of the home were delighted to see the three pups and their mama. But the owners of the nursing home were not quite as enamored and that led to their rescue. The volunteers who transported them could not stop talking about the sweet, gentle personalities of the four dogs. National Pyrenees Rescue was able to quickly adopt out the pups and mom was placed in a foster home in Michigan.
Though we were hoping to adopt a puppy, NGPR asked if we would consider taking on the Mom, to which we said yes. We renamed her Gracie and she quickly became the center of our lives. She was amazing in oh-so-many ways. After seven years with us, we had to help her transition in October. It was not something we were emotionally prepared for, but assured by the vet it was the most humane approach.
These creatures come into our lives, love us so fiercely and completely but leave us way too soon. Gracie was such an amazing companion. Truly a gentle giant. A leaner who knew you just HAD to pet her (“don’t stop!”). She never met a couch or bed that she didn’t believe she belonged on, and she gifted all with tufts of fur. These small annoyances are now treasures.
Changing careers and traveling all the time was difficult. Gracie hated it but she forgave me each and every time I came home. Nothing like seeing her scan the crowd for one of us at the bus stop, train or airport.
Her delight at having her pack together was grounding. We took her everywhere—and because she was so darn good, even non-dog people gave in to her charms. Frankly, anyplace she couldn’t go wasn’t worth going, damn it! It’s safe to say that we were in love with her. She completed our little family.
She had been experiencing brief periods of stomach upset off and on for a few months. Usually a few days of the BRAT diet would resolve the issue and she’d be back to her amazing sweet cuddly self. I called her vet’s office a couple weeks ago to explore adjusting her anti-inflammatory medication, thinking perhaps this might be the cause. We attempted to pump her full of probiotics to beef up her belly but about 5 days ago her appetite was completely gone. She was pretty much refusing any and every yummy thing we could think of. What she was able to eat didn’t stay down. Sheila took her to the vet for additional blood work and x-rays. That’s when they found a very large mass in her stomach. 😔 Some of her bloodwork came back a little concerning as well and they recommended an ultrasound to get a better handle on treatment options. At that time they expressed worry that there was leakage in her belly & her condition could possibly deteriorate quickly.
We’re grateful we had the weekend to process this & cuddle non-stop but can’t say we were prepared for what the ultrasound showed yesterday morning. In addition to the mass in her stomach, she had a tumor in her small intestine & nodules on her spleen, inflamed peritoneum, and fluid in her abdomen. Our poor, strong girl. The Vet was going to provide us with medication to help her remain comfortable, but we decided to not risk her having a crisis in the middle of the night and scheduled to take her in at the end of the day to help her transition.
She didn’t deserve to be in any more discomfort. The clinic staff were amazing and Gracie enjoyed multiple small bags of M&Ms and peanut butter cookies as we loved on her and thanked her for enriching our lives. She passed peacefully while embraced by her girls. Our hearts are absolutely broken. We needed to say goodbye to our beautiful girl. It all unfolded so very quickly—too quickly to truly process how empty our lives feel without her. Without her, Sheila and I feel lost. We will grieve, mourn and cherish every photo and memory of such an incredible being. How lucky we are to have been loved by her.
Deb & Sheila
Chicago, Illinois
October 2025
