Grace Anna’s health deteriorated suddenly, with labored breathing and a distended stomach. Unfortunately she had to be euthanized today. The vet presumed a bleeding spleen tumor. Please remember her and her devastated foster mom.
To my bulldog family: I am back in rescue. One year ago this month I was adopted, now I return no fault of my own. Look how good I look. I was loved and I was wanted. I had it all.
Then my mom got sick, and to help her walk she had to use a walker. I could see the writing on the wall. She could not take care of me any longer. She was so upset, and she cried so hard. The family told her they would help her take care of me. But when it was all said and done, they did not want to help. They wanted me gone.
So slowly my Mom packed my bags, and I waited for Uber David to arrive. In my bag I packed honey, blueberries, yogurt, tide laundry detergent, dog food, bags of treats, a plug wall freshener, blankets and towels, and a sweater. I am not unpacking my bags because I don’t want to stay in rescue. I want a home. I am older, I walk slow, and kinda have a limp.
But most of all I am sad. I thought I had a forever home. Senior bulldogs don’t find homes very often and I considered myself one of the lucky ones. I was loved, and I was wanted. And now I just don’t know will I ever find love, or was I “one and done?”
Today, Grace Anna achieved the zenith of her long and tortured climb. Abused, discarded. and bred barren, she dared not hope for a better life as she approached her senior years. It took about 15 months of rehabilitation, behavior improvement, and unyielding love for her to recognize her value and worth as a cherished family member.
Several weeks ago at our Bulldog Bonanza at Hollywood Feed in Allen, Miss Gracie thrilled to the happiest day of her life. Everyone wanted to learn about her, pet her, and above all, love on her. Her little tail has not stopped wagging vigorously since. My tail is sore just watching hers!
Volunteer Lari advised Lou Ann of Gracie’s availability. We then FaceTimed, sent pix and videos, nutrition schedule, a recitation of Gracie’s habits, preferences, sleep and house behavior.
Every effort proved worthwhile when Lou Ann arrived yesterday for a three-hour meet and greet. She and Gracie were so ready for a change of life. Love broke out like as vigorously as a fight at a hockey game.
Gracie had NEVER known so much love and individual attention in her life until yesterday. Both were excited, but Gracie was over the top. Gracie was getting her own home as an only dog – she never could have imagined such luck!
We reviewed the details of food, meds, potty behavior, sleeping arrangements, and all the things a Bulldog needs to settle into her furever home. New mom, “Roo,” had already bought beds, toys, food and snacks. She even prepared and served dinner to Miss Gracie, complete with cold and warm sides of the culinary counter.
To quote Miss Gracie, “I hesitated for a moment when we left, but at the final kiss, I assured you, my foster peeps, that while I was finally in my furever home, you would always be my heart’s inspiration.”
This is what her heart sang as she departed to Houston.
A few weeks back, the Laredo shelter reached out asking if we could take a Bulldog who had been picked up as a stray and needed help.
All we saw was a picture of her face and I was all in. She just needed to hitch a ride here and thankfully, that was no problem ~ transports bring dogs and cats north often.
On Wednesday, Grace Anna and two dozen more dogs and cats left South Texas behind and headed north. I’m sure it was the best day of their lives.
When Grace Anna was lifted out of the van and sat down on the ground, all I could do was cry. Her feet have sores on top of sores. Most of her fur is missing under her neck, down her legs and across her chest. Whatever fur left is stained with urine and filth. And what a smell.
But also, what a sweet, sweet Bulldog.
The transport woman was so nice to her. She made a point to tell me Grace Anna was a shelter favorite and she would be missed. I am 100% sure Grace Anna had never been missed by anyone before. I believe someone misses the money they made by breeding her time and time again.
Grace Anna is one of the lucky ones. She is now in rescue and will get the medical treatment she needs before we find her a forever family. Even with her ears cropped to her head, missing fur and having no clue how to live inside a home with love, Grace Anna is saved and we are so grateful that you gave us the ability to do so.
11/7/22 Update: Look how beautiful foster girl Grace Anna is looking now! Dr. Larsen says she’s super sweet and gets along well with others.
11/14/22 Update: Miss Grace Anna here, debutante of the week, headlining from my new foster digs. Do not search YouTube for my first night on Monday; no highlight reel to feature. But what improvement since then.
As I draft this pupdate, I recline prostrate in Foster Dad’s office. Playing with my new squeaky toy took its energy toll. But, I earned unrestricted occupancy, an achievement few others have attained at such an early stage. Good thing Bulldog Happy Hour comes soon. My batteries need a recharge.
Wow, I never expected this gala celebration for my first week. I have graduated from fouling my apartment floor to doing my excreta outside, well, mostly. May we term it a work in progress.
Incredibly, the culinary staff surprised me with a celebratory Bulldog Happy Hour. I dined on warmed potato salad a la deviled eggs, fresh green beans steamed and mashed, fresh sliced fruit, and pastry. The other fur ladies residing here share a condition called full figure, or plus sized. OTOH, I retain my maiden physique, but would benefit from a few more calories. Doubtless, I will exit these premises in great physical shape.
I earned the privilege of visiting with Foster Dad early in the mornings when fur sisters sleep in. He shares love, treats and trust. I thrill to my luck.
I need more time to acclimate and for my peeps to rehabilitate and acclimate me to a new life, but I am so ready. Send in your apps. Foster peeps and I will review, but the final decision rests with me. TTFN, ciao, toute a l’heure, auf wiedersehen, and more.
12/5/22 Update: Since my debut in my foster home three weeks ago, my behavior has regressed. To ease anxiety on my foster family, I self-sequestered to work on improving my indoor deportment. You may know some of my disreputable and abusive history suffered at the hands of evil. I never imagined living inside, let alone inside a loving home, so acclimation doesn’t come easy to a pup of my gallimaufry history.
My loving and patient foster family asked Miss Korrie, a trainer/behaviorist, to help me acquire house manners, especially excreta etiquette. It turns out that my peeps, in their zeal to socialize me, contributed to the problem. They wanted to grant status that I did not earn. Korrie explained that I must be trained as a new pup because I was never trained at all. I spend time in the crate, pee and poop outside, and earn praise and rewards – treats! My behavior improves daily, so stay tuned for good news.
Speaking of good news, do you remember the old saw, “Under loved and underfed?” Who knew that human love for us Bulldogs abounded in your hearts? As to food, you can see that I need a little more muscle mass. I enjoy two full meals per day, both served with warm finishing sauces, fish, fowl, and farm protein, pumpkin, and vet recommended supplements. Who knew that eating could be dining? I’m licking my chops – yowsah!
To boot, the culinary staff serves Bulldog Happy Hour every day. Given my caloric prerequisite, they add extra protein and even dessert (YES, yummy sweets!) to my bowl. Vis-à-vis, the Clean Bowl Club awarded poster Bulldog status to me. After wolfing down my meals, I shine and polish my bowl and then, those of my fur sisters. To state it delicately, they typify the plus-sized category, so I do them a good deed.
Daily, I learn more about inside decorum challenges, none of which I cannot vanquish. Foster Dad says that the demons that tormented my life owe to the abuse of malevolent humans. Everyone in Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue supports me, from the volunteers, to the clinic, to my trainer/behaviorist, to my foster peeps, even to my fur sisters.
Foster Dad assures me that a sweet Bulldog yearns to emerge from my beleaguered past. I will prove him right, and everyone else who believes in me. I will never disappoint you.
1/17/23 Update: I have resurfaced! Many of you have inquired about my welfare, even my location. As an abused and neglected Bulldog for my entire life, your concerns overwhelm me. Previous survival relegated me to mere revenue generating chattel, deserving of no other care. That all changed when all the warm Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue hearts embraced me.
For sooth, my motivation for radio silence stems from my commitment. Yes, I chose to enter rahab, much as many other celebrities. Like most who undergo rehab, I could not admit my problem. Never having known any differently, how could I imagine a life path other than misery? To avoid the puparazzi, I secreted under the cover of darkness and advised no one of my 20.
After months of futile effort, my foster peeps insisted on an intervention. They worked tirelessly with me, consulting various sources, and trying multiple regimes to cure my excreta etiquette enigmas. Alas, progress crept slowly and incrementally, However, this week Epiphany shined (OK, a week late) and I pooped and peed outside. The days of fouling the house may revisit, but the upward arc continues to rise sharply. I cannot believe my good fortune. I live inside, dine on sumptuous nutritious food, and my fur sisters love me.
My privileges grow commensurate with my behavior. Foster Dad granted run of the house liberties, but who cares? He is the guy with the food so I stay close. After 0 dark 30, I pee, poop and run into the home to love on Foster Dad. I lick his leg, put my chin on his thigh, and express my gratitude for loving on me. These peeps did not give up on me, and I wax ecstatic. Wow, what a lucky girl am I.
5/12/23 Update: Thanks for asking about my welfare while I went to radio silence for several months. My foster peeps have tirelessly worked with me to shed my mill mamma ways.
In my former life, the miscreants who “owned” me likely confined me to cramped crates and I had babies who fouled the crates. As a responsible mother, my only option was to eat the poop so my babies could live in a relatively sanitized home. I did what I needed to do for my puppies, as all of you would do. I harbor no shame for my sacrifice.
Since reaching Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue, it’s been hard to break those old habits and my foster parents are working tirelessly with me. They tried Coprophagia and recently Chew No Poo to discourage me from this practice. Progress is slow but steady. Thanks for staying with me. If you have more tips, I’d love to hear them. Well, more so my foster parents……
6/21/23 Update: It has been a while so let me bring you the news. I have been working on my inside behavior. My peeps say that I am making progress, but having never lived in a house before, the pace drags on slowly. I do not often foul the house or my crate, so my foster dad lets me enjoy more freedom.
I asked my foster dad if anyone has asked about me. He replied that I shouldn’t give up hope. He said that now that I’ve improved, he plans to update all y’all more often.
I am a good girl at heart and need a family who will cherish me so that I may blossom into the lover I was meant to be.
6/30/23 Update: My foster peeps pump up my pride by telling me how much progress I have made in the past few weeks. ‘Tis true, my excreta etiquettes have improved such that I can be trusted with all day run of the house privileges.
I sleep in my crate at night, because I prefer it’s comfort, security, and solitude. I rise before dawn with Foster Dad and dutifully execute my elimination obligations, as I do all day long. Foster peeps have shown the near patience of Job in helping me.
I have learned to accept love from bipeds, not just tolerance. They stroke me and tell me what a good girl I am. How incredibly blessed am I by Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue’s tender mercies. All y’all never gave up on me and I am honor bound to reciprocate. Loving on peeps prioritizes my goal as I grow into the next phase of my life.
My CV follows:
*Gentle and loving
*Desirous of giving and receiving affection
*Appreciative of my warmed gourmet meals and Bulldog Happy Hour noshes
*Still learning to play
*Love my mouth toys
*Get along well with other dogs
*Looking for love
Foster Dad makes scrumptious meals morning and night, plus connoisseur Bulldog Happy Hour. Who doesn’t love fresh fruit, mac ‘n’ cheese, egg salad, pizza with extra cheese and pupparoni… A girl could grow to love this life.
I am just learning to play. Who knew life inside a loving home could be so happy? When you are ready, as Blondie told us in the 1980s, “Call Me.”
7-11-23 Update: Grace Anna continues to amaze us with her progress. From a neglected and abused mill mama, to a valued family member, her trek trod no paved path.
This sweet little girl has grown to accept love and her behavior astonishes us. She very rarely fouls the house any more as her citizenship quotient increases.
This little girl now understands love, especially how to accept affection. Doubtless, she will blossom into a love giver as her rehabilitation reaches her goal.
She prefers going out on leash in the yard to do her business. What great development since she arrived. Bulldogs always thrill us with their self-improvement ethic.
7/25/23 Update: My foster peeps affectionately call me Gracie. I like that name. It promotes me to valued family member status – Ha Cha Cha!
After joining Recue in October 2022, my dogtor selected Chez Maison Ménard BBnB to learn how to live inside a home, and rehabilitate to loving pet status. It was not an easy transition for them cuz, given my abusive history, I did not adapt quickly.
My new reality stuns me. What Mill Mamma Bullie ever dreamed that such liberation in a loving home existed? LSBCR has created a path to happiness that I could never have imagined. Thanks to all y’all who selflessly devote your devotion to us Bullies. my eight months of residency, I have graduated from discarded chattel to cherished daughter. In appreciation, I have drastically improved my behavior, especially excreta etiquette. Learning to walk on a leash, I no longer trip foster dad. He takes me out on leash and collar and I do my biz on command. My reward comes in the form of Cheez-Its. Foster dad and I share this addiction.
I dine on warmed meals AM and PM, enjoy Bulldog Happy Hour at noon with treats du jour like fresh fruit, leftovers… every day presents adventure. Here, see me resting in digestive coma.
Best of all, I and bask in foster dad’s affection. Wow, this routine has accelerated into “desirable” status.
I proclaim readiness for adoption! Why ever would you shillyshally?
12/29/23 Update: Dear Santa Paws,
I waited until Christmas morning for an ulterior motive. I deduced that when you return home to the North Pole and collapse into your recliner, the first piece of email you will read is mine.
Every boy, girl, and Bulldog wants you to read their letter before the sleigh flies off, but I already have my gift. Today marks my second Christmas with Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue. I rest all snuggled in my bed while visions of carte du jour Bulldog Happy Hour dance in my head.
After a life of miserable neglect and abuse, God’s mercy brought me to the loving arms of Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue. My foster peeps have shown ever so much patience with me, a blessing for which I remain eternally grateful.
I may always be a work in progress – well, who isn’t? I now know how to love and be loved. Because those concepts never existed before, I have struggled with accepting and reciprocating them.
Foster peeps say that I am ready to graduate to my furever home. They promise to make my vacated she shed available to another deserving Bulldog and thus the process flows.
If you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas, perhaps a warm furry Bulldog will make you forget about inanimate gifts. I will be home throughout the holidays and can open my calendar to meet approved applicants. Merry Christmas. Love, Grace Anna
1/19/24 Update: Dear friends, family, fellow vols and especially you adoptive families seeking an ideal Bullie.
Check out my photo when Foster Dad asked if I was hungry for Bulldog Happy Hour? Is he kidding?
Allow me to elaborate. In early December, radio silence descended upon me when Foster Dad went infirmity funky. He needed a hip replacement and could not attend to us ladies at this BBnB in the style to which we had become accustomed.
Worse yet, a new alpha dog appeared. Ugh, Foster Mom established her dominance over the pack. We four pawed girls speculate that FM’s previous career included a stint as a Marine Drill instructor. She barked more instructions and demands and demanded that we not bark. Can you imagine?
Foster Dad is the biggest imaginable softie and pushover. One word from him and we did as we pleased. Foster Mom manages the clock like Tom Brady in overtime so outside I go on schedule. If I don’t go outside, back into the she shed I go. You get the picture. Certainly I do.
The upside of this upgraded discipline regime is that I am much more adoptable. I behave much better and appreciate family life. The broken road to rehabilitation has challenges but I have conquered them. Foster peeps say that I am so good these days that some family will son scoop me up. I appreciate that sentiment but dream of my fur-ever home.
Happy New Year to all y’all. Love, Miss Gracie.
2/9/24 Update: Grace Anna endured a miserable life before God directed her to Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue. But yesterday, she enjoyed the best day of her life at our Bulldog Bonanza.
This little girl met more people and Bulldogs at one time than she ever had before. She sucked down the attention and love that, at one point, she never knew existed.
Her tail wagged with such excitement for the hours she attended that her butt must have been sore on the ride home. Many guests asked about her. How amazing that after all the wretchedness of her early life, she discarded those days like yesterday’s trash.
Bulldogs teach us many lessons that we would be wise to absorb. She has learned about love, nutrition and living inside a happy home. She’s shed all her bad habits and yearns for a loving furever family.
We are thrilled by her successes. The journey over these 15 months since she moved in with us has been frustrating at times, but she never gave up the struggle. She has come out on top.
Gracie Anna represents a prima facie example of why rescue is worth the sacrifice, cost and time.
You have been blessed, Miss Gracie, and you share your blessings with all of us.
2/22/25 Update: Gracie has been with me since Monday and all I can say is, she is the most chill bulldog I have had so far…could be due to her age (8, I am told).
The resident dog does not love anyone in his space but she ignores him and he, for the most part, ignores her. She spends most of her time sleeping but has started to follow me a bit in order to get some lovin.’
She does have a limp so she does not love going outside (plus the cold, you know?), so potty training has been difficult. Hopefully she can see a vet to see if we can do anything to help the limp. Got a video of her growling and barking at herself in the mirror – made me laugh!
She is a special senior and deserves to live the rest of her days with someone who will dote on her.
