Meet Gracie

[Diane Kauffmds]

Hi guys, Life is happening, and with the mounting medical problems with my husband, it gets overwhelming. So, when life presents a precious gift, I like to share.

A few months ago, took my German Shepherd, Isabella to the vet for a swelling on her face. Luckily, it was just a tooth issue and antibiotics took care of it. But, I realized that she turned 9 on March 16th, and the gravity of that age was driven home when the Vet said that he'd normally take the tooth out, but with her advanced age, wanted to avoid it if at all possible. Isabella is my mobility service dog. I've retired her, so she can just relax in the lap of luxury for her remaining days (or drive me nuts every time I need to run an errand, because she expects to 'go to work'".

I'm a disabled veteran. The VA will pay for training and vet bills, but not the dog. Since I can't afford $50k for a fully trained mobility service dog, I started looking for a breeder. After a long search (with an astonishing number of breeders who refuse to sell a German Shepherd puppy to be trained in service), I found a breeder with whom I'm comfortable, and which I agree with their breeding philosophy. My name went on a wait list as having the first choice in a litter, where both mom and dad are certified therapy dogs, grandparents are a therapy dog and service dog, and great grandparents are service dogs.

On June 30, the day after my birthday, 7 puppies were born. I've chosen a solid blue female (a rare color). I've chosen the AKC name of: Von Shap's Baroness of Grace.

AKA: Gracie. Gracie will come home around the first week of September. I've lined up training which will begin formally when she's 12 weeks old, and will continue for over a year, including individual training for the specialized stuff for me.

So, please meet my baby puppy Gracie, the best birthday present ever! Here's her first baby picture

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[Kevin Sjostrand]

Wow very special. I've never seen a German Shepherd that color. You'll have to make a themed guitar in her honor. Got any blue Grey wood? 😃

[Skarsaune]

Yay! New puppy! Congrats!

[Tomcat]

I'm a cat man myself, but I'll still say...

Purrrrrrrrrrrrr

Cute puppy!

I have 4 cats, Martin (Marty), Gibson (Gibbs), Fender (Fender-bender), and Taylor (Taylor the terrorist)?#. Martin is my shop cat, who greets clients and inspects my work.

[TEETERFAN]

Too cute to believe!!!! Congratulations!

[Diane Kauffmds]

I've got a new photo of Gracie. She's 5 weeks old now and will come home in 3 weeks.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Well, chaos is about to ensue. Gracie comes home on Saturday. The VA will help me in this endeavor because of my service connected disabilities. There will be a long road ahead. Her training will take 1 1/2 + years. She's been bred for this purpose, coming from a long line of service/therapy dogs.

She was in Georgia. She's in Ohio now.

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[Diane Kauffmds]

Gracie is home. She's been chasing after Isabella, who has take refuge by my side on the couch. She met Martin, the cat, who puffed up and ran upstairs.

After a bit of food and water, she's asleep by my feet. The puppy playpen lasted 3 minutes before she tried a Tarzan to climb out.

All is right in the world.

[phavriluk]

Thanks for the news. It's been quiet here for long enough to generate worry.

Immensely cute pup!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

YAH!
Very cute puppy