Amazing Gracie Makes the Case for a Second Chance

by Joya Jiménez DiStefano

Gracie was supposed to die.  Her family wanted her euthanized at the County Shelter for “nipping at the children.”

The Chief Enforcement Officer passed Gracie’s kennel and she cowered and growled.  He said that Gracie should not go on the adoption floor.  The senior vet tech looked at the black-and-white Spitz with a touch of brown and a lot of class, and she thought what a shame it was to destroy such a lovely animal.

The noise and smells in the overcrowded county shelter overwhelmed Gracie.  Seeing her fear, the vet tech showed Gracie the power of confident kindness, perhaps the first Gracie had ever known.  Five days later, Gracie responded by allowing her heartworm test without a fuss.

Gracie went on the adoption floor.  The volunteers continued to work to earn her trust and build her confidence.  A FOTAS’ transfer partner agreed to pull Gracie and work with her shyness, necessitating a short-term foster placement until she was transported.  Priscilla agreed to take Gracie.

The day Gracie left the shelter, she hopped in Priscilla’s car, sat on the passenger seat, and looked forward, bright-eyed, with a grin of anticipation on her lovely face.

When they arrived at the house, Gracie was respectfully considerate of Priscilla’s two little dogs.  They walked out in the fenced pool yard where Gracie promptly jumped into the pool. And Priscilla immediately pulled her out.

“I think she wanted to be rid of the shelter smell,” Priscilla said, “because she never jumped in again.”

In the eleven days that Gracie lived with Priscilla and her two dogs, Gracie never growled or even raised her lip.  She needed meds for kennel cough and let Priscilla give her pills and squeeze cough medicine down her throat.  Gracie sat when asked and came when called. She was good on a leash and not aggressive with cats.  She liked being brushed.  At night, Priscilla’s two little dogs slept beside her on the bed, and Gracie curled up happily beside them, on her own bed on the floor.

Priscilla wrote a letter, recounting their experience together, to send with Gracie to her new forever home.  It ended, “Please be good to her; she is such a good dog.”

And to God, Priscilla sent a simple prayer, “Please, God, make sure she gets a good home with lots of love and care.”  More likely than not, Gracie will.

 What is the lesson for us here?  One, we can work miracles together with dedication, insight, compassion, and common sense.  Two, even dogs aren’t always what they seem at first look.  Three, the programs emerging among shelter staff, volunteers and foster care can do great things; that is, if there are enough of us.  So far, there aren’t. 

Finally, even with all of the above, if we don’t get the unwanted population under control with spay/neuter, we will fail miserably.  Just look at the numbers for 2 Julys, think about all the Gracies, and then decide what you are going to do to help.  Please.

Joya is a retired organizational problem-solver and radical educator, Joya is an artist, Servant Leader, and co-founder of FOTAS, Inc.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

July                               2012 vs. 2013

Animal intake	427	642!
Return to Owner	19	21
Adopted	52	59
Transferred	41	53
Euthanized	324	496

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!”

BAMA – Boxer/hound mix.  9 mos./62 lbs. The volunteers love this guy, a sweetheart!  Only $70

BEESHA – 1 yr./7lbs. She is exotic, with lovely green-gold eyes, and affectionate!  Only $35

*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.