Gracie, the Terror

Chapter 2-Dame Gracie the Greek

This is Gracie who has been a handful and is five months old! During her Puppy training, she has socialized with humans and other dogs, she doesn’t eat rocks, nips at us a lot less, has fewer accidents, and eats her poop less (we are still struggling with that one).

We changed vets. This veterinarian understands that all dogs are not Labs, Labradoodles, or Beagles. This new doctor is kind, caring, and communicative. Our dog trainer doesn’t have experience with Irish Terriers as only 300 have been born in the United States per year, but has helped us socialize her, teach her manners and understand her. She is growing up into a very loyal, loving little girl. Puppy 3 is next when Gracie will receive all the academics she is missing other than sit, and stay that she knows so well.

Gracie communicates her needs by circling her body and giving a nod. We miss her cues sometimes, and so does she, but it is much easier than in the past. She is free to roam much more of the time without destruction along the way. She is still a terrier-a stubborn breed. She is still teething but has developed a knack for how hard she nips. If you go towards her bone, she will nip for sure. Now that she has become less tied to the crate, her newest interests are to nibble on tennis balls and our shoes. She loves to smell and look for a moment to jump! Yes, we girls can jump.

We have bonded with her. I carry her down to the dog run that she uses for laps. Soon, she will be able to use the doggie door. She non-stop kisses in both directions. She is now 16.5 pounds and is 18 inches at the shoulders. She shows much love and happiness towards us as we towards her. When we go to a restaurant, we get outdoor seating, place her in the crate and watch her admire all the people who walk by or stop to see her. She is a great walker. She walks up our steep mountain hill regularly. She is still in the process of learning to navigate pillows, and furniture (when she pulled out the coach, she moved the wire). She has mastered nap time!

Girl dogs are not as easy as boy dogs to train and live with, but we are getting through this. In comparison, middle school girls are more difficult to teach, but they do mature. I am sure Gracie will do the same. She is gorgeous, fun-loving, and we are grateful for her every day. She is our terror terrier.

Robbi K. Mark in Be Open (More About Me story) tells it all and then some.