I adopted Gracie from Big Dogs Rescue. Big Dogs Rescue is a boxer rescue with a mission to save the lives of boxers that have found themselves in shelters across the state of WV.

I met Jessica, a board member with big dogs rescue, at the Flatwoods Factory Outlet Stores, near the shoe store. Gracie was looking out the window from the passenger seat. She looked happy and alert. I was excited and eager to get her home.

My mother traveled with me to pick up Gracie. Mom was just as excited as I was.  Mom peppered me with questions about the dog. She had seen pictures on Facebook that I took and that Jessica took.

Gracie is about five years old may be six. It’s hard to tell but she is considered a senior in the boxer world, apparently they only live 10 to 12 years.  That makes her middle aged just like me. Gracie also had some health conditions which caused her to lose significant weight. She had a female infection of the uterus. The infection caused her to bleed continuously adding to the problem of getting her adopted from the Braxton County shelter.

Jessica took Gracie in and began to seeking treatment for her. She posted photos on Facebook. The protest broke my heart. I saw all the sad, painful look in Gracie eyes, and the thinness of her body. You could count her vertebrae just from the photo. Her ribs shown through the skin. I thought to myself, “I have got to help if only her and no other dog.”  I began thinking of how I could take care of this and how I could get her adopted.

I told my husband Wayne that I was probably going to adopt a dog from this rescue site. He gave me a look of half belief. we had said for several years is that we did not want another dog. They need too much care. When you’re traveling you’ll either have to put them in a boarding house or take them with you or find someone to watch them while you’re away. But I told him that I had been watching this one case.

I began filling out the application form. It was many pages long with very detailed questions. I had to guess at the measurement of our yard and tell them whether it was enclosed. I had to tell them about the history of other pets we’ve had. I had two explain our experience with dog ownership.

I first met Gracie on October 5 2013. It was in Bridgeport outside a pet shop, part of an adoption and fundraising event . Along with Gracie was another dog named Pistol. Gracie was very friendly, greeting every one who walked by. She was also very affectionate kissing anyone getting close to her face.

I asked Jessica if she had any history on Gracie. Jessica said there was not much to know. The animal shelter said only she was an owner surrender. She was very sick, very thin, malnourished, and bleeding. She was unlikely to be adopted. Jessica  continued, saying she couldn’t leave Gracie there even though she was pulling a different boxer.

The veterinarian wanted her to gain more weight before the spay. It soon became clear that couldn’t happen. She had an infection of the uterus. Surgery was scheduled. According to some sites, female boxers should weight between 53-65 pounds.  Gracie weighed 39 pounds. That 14 pound difference is a lot in a small animal like a dog. Small compared to horses and stuff. Not only could you see her ribs, but her vertebra as well.

Un-spayed and six years old, it is likely Gracie was a breeder female. Whether she bred in a puppy mill environment may never be known. Her teats give the impression she birthed several litters. She has a good disposition. She travels well. I don’t think she was confined to a cage. She seems too socialized for that. Her humans took her to an animal shelter to die. She was sick when she got there, and malnourished.

Jessica and Big Dogs Rescue took her in. Because of that I saw her, and brought her home. I hope I can give her a great life.