Golden Grace

This is Walkin' the Bark's latest addition. She was found wandering the streets in Sacramento one evening last week. A neighbor brought her to Robin's attention (you'll recall that Robin is currently fostering Seven). One thing led to another and in the end, both Robin and I agreed that ultimately, the choice boiled down to taking the dog to the shelter (where she would undoubtedly be put to sleep) or Robin fostering the dog.

Less than an hour in the dog's presence and Robin couldn't bring herself to condemn her to a shelter and likely death. It's one thing to be aware of the fact that there are thousands of dogs just like this one already in the shelter that we cannot do anything about. But when one actually crosses your path, your heart is touched and you can't help but feel some responsibility for that dog.

Robin, although she already has her hands full with one foster dog (Seven--a so-called "difficult" dog), her own dog, and several cats, decided she would care for this stray as well. Unfortunately, the dog was found right before the 4th of July weekend and Robin already had plans to be out of town. So the dog ended up being boarded at a vet that weekend.

Robin named her Golden Grace. She appears to be about 8 months old or so, a pit mix, currently 33 lbs. Our own Phoebe was that age and size when she first came into our lives, and she is one of the best things that ever happened to us, so Gracie brings back fond memories.

When Gracie was found, she was ridden with fleas and on the ribby side. She was a bit timid towards strangers but was found to warm up quickly. She freezes on leash, so it's obvious she has never been taken on walks, and we suspect she was a dog left in the backyard her whole life.

At the vet, she took being handled in stride. She won over everyone there with her sweetness. And as it turns out, she is extremely playful in typical pit fashion.