After 15 years, Grace has passed and left us with a hole that can never be filled. However, this exceptional dog has touched so many lives that she deserves to be honoured. Grace, daughter to Sebastian and Clara has helped many people through her many guises.
Grace was a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog and visited schools, nurseries, retirement homes and hospitals. She helped many children overcome their fear of animals. She endured hours of tummy rubs, ear pulls, ear wiggles surrounded by children and she loved every minute of it. She thought humans were there to adore her and stroke her. She visited people suffering with dementia and enriched their lives in ways that other humans did not. She walked the corridors of the children’s ward turning heads wherever we went, it always took me a long time to walk through the hospital as we were stopped by patients, visitors and staff alike. She rested a head on the beds of poorly children and made them smile, she flopped on her back for tummy rubs from children recovering from illness and she enjoyed attention from staff as they took a moment out of work to breathe and stroke her and she did it all with a smile.
Grace was also a wonderful teacher. She endured many bandaging practices from student Veterinary Nurses, often to be seen with an ear bandage or a ‘poorly paw’. Grace has made me a better Veterinary Nurse. Grace has made Daddy a better Vet. Grace helped me in my practicals and my final exam for my Canine Bowen Technique training, reminding me that dog led practices are subtle and more powerful, and since qualifying she has attended Continued Professional Develop days. Grace has made me a better Canine Bowen Technique Practitioner. Grace was also an outstanding Reiki Teacher, allowing students to share energy with her and showing them how to best practice as Animal Reiki Practitioners. Grace has made me a better Animal Reiki Teacher.
Grace was also chosen to be a catalogue model due to her calm and beautiful nature.
But she was not just a teacher, a PAT dog or a model, she was our friend, our snuggle partner and our guide. She loved running around the countryside and would always bring some undergrowth back as a souvenir. She enjoyed many hours with our children, sitting, playing, following, listening and loving them, they are truly blessed to have had her in their lives, as are we.
Grace helped me teach our puppy Magena the ways of the Westwood house and all of her loving skills and now we are all grieving the gap in our lives. But, she is with her Mummy, Daddy dog and her Molly Mango and I know they are all running through the undergrowth, chasing balls, jumping in the water and snuggling together once more.
Good night my darling, Grace. Thank you for enriching everything and everybody you touched. Mummy, Daddy, your furless brother and sister and little brothers Magena and Jon love you but will never forget you x
