our sweet and amazing gracie-

yesterday was the hardest thing that i have ever had to do- we had to put gracie to sleep yesterday. to type this is difficult. gracie had torn her ACL last year while chasing a tennis ball. she seemed to deal with is okay- a little hobbl-y but, she was managing. she is pretty overweight and older- so surgery wasn't really an option. the night before last- she was outside and a stray dog walked past- and she started to run toward the dog- and fell to the ground. she has torn her other ACL-

so, yesterday we decided after much discussion, tears, sobs, and heartbreak that we would put her to sleep. the vet believes that she had "cushins disease" which is a softening of the joints, causes a pot belly, and some other issues that i honestly don't remember at the moment. the process to heal and rehab would be long and extensive, and this would most likely continue to happen to her. she would have issues for the rest of her life and would never be able to walk, chase a tennis ball, go for a long walk, ride the jet-ski, or be able to go up or down stairs.

it was horrible. the kids and chris are taking it very hard. i know that it was the best decision for her. the last thing i would want for gracie is to live in pain, or miss out on living!

gracie was a wonderful dog- she was the sweetest dog that i have ever known. she has given our family such a book of memories- she has been a part of our family since she was 5 weeks old and lived such an amazing life. my brother said yesterday- "well, kara- she died fat and happy- and thats the way to go!" and i had to laugh- gracie loved her food!

she will be missed so much--- we loved our gracie and will be thinking of you forever!