That is a wrap

Dear world,

Words cannot express how appreciative I am that you have faithfully followed me on my journey with the sitter.

Words cannot express it, but my poetic barking can.

That is a wrap, folks!

Wish me luck, world!

Love always, Gracie

Day 63: Reunion!!!

Dear world,

I could barely sleep last night. The anticipation of seeing my Mommy and Daddy again was too much. How could any puppy be expected to sleep?

When the sitter put me in the car this morning, I expected that we were heading back to my house to see my Mommy and Daddy, but instead we went someplace new. My sitter brought me to her "job," which I now realize is a place and not a disease. It still sounds terrible to me.

Here I am meeting everyone at the "job." See how they are standing around to admire me?

After some time at daycare (after the "job"), the sitter picked me up and we finally went home. Here is the moment we have all been waiting for.

So I am now home and so very happy!

Wish me luck, world! No more days to go!!

Love, Gracie

Day 62: A clarification

Dear world,

If all goes according to plan, tomorrow I will find myself in the loving arms of my Mommy and Daddy. I have missed them terribly.

I am not the same puppy that they knew when they left. I am two whole months older, bigger, stronger, and more independent. Some of my greatest accomplishment during my stay with the sitter include:

• learning to love going to daycare;
• learning a new trick (shake a paw);
• learning to jump up on the dining room chairs, and the coffee table (I am still working my way up to the dining room table); and
• making new friends at daycare, and with the sitter's neighbours.

It sounds like I had a great time with the sitter, but just to clarify...

MOMMY AND DADDY -- I AM READY TO GO HOME. COME AND GET ME!!!

Wish me luck, world! Only 1 day to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 61: Good morning smiles

Dear world,

This is what I look like when I wake up to realize that there are only 2 more sleeps until my Mommy and Daddy are supposed to get home!

Wish me luck, world! Only 2 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 60: Security guard Gracie

Dear world,

Last night, I was shocked to learn that if you poke your head behind the kitchen curtain, you can see the roadway beyond the sitter's backyard.

The sitter must be relieved that I discovered this little trick, and that I can now contribute to her personal safety by barking at every car, person, and animal that passes by.

I am astonished how the sitter was able to manage before I came for my stay.

Wish me luck, world! Only 3 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 59: Weekend zzz

Dear world,

Weekends really take it out of me.

And we are only halfway to Monday.

Wish me luck, world! Only 4 days to go.

Love, Gracie

P.S. Happy International Women's Day!

Day 58: Talented Gracie

Dear world,

I have been dreaming of Horton lately. Is that normal? This morning I decided to make him a present. Everyone likes to receive presents! That is how you let someone know that you love them. That is why the sitter always gives me bully sticks, and why my Mommy and Daddy will be bringing me a box full of cats when they get home next week.

I decided that I would draw a self-portrait for Horton. That way he will always think of me. (I am a smart gal!)

Here is my first attempt. It can be tricky to sketch, but I think I got the hang of it.

Because I could not be both the model and the artist, I had to sketch from a recent photo. Look how my eyes sparkle with the thought that Horton will see this soon!

Wish me luck, world! Only 5 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 57: Gracie's unexpected date

Dear world,

Last night my heart was performing in a circus of flutters! It was after supper, and then the doorbell rang. There was a person at the door, and a dog. I mean... a HORTON!!

I am fairly sure I know how he had found me. We had been set up on a secret date. I have been telling you that you cannot trust this sitter, but this time it was a good surprise.

He was just as perfect as I remembered from daycare. Would you not agree? Here we are playing.

I like that he is just as agile and athletic as me. Look how easily he makes his way up to one of the best spots in the room!

He also likes to ring the puppy bells at the door, just like I do. (I hope he was not telling his Mommy that he wanted to leave.)

Having spent some one-on-one time with Horton, I still think he is super swell. Gracie's first date was a success!

Wish me luck, world! Only 6 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 56: TBT Gracie (again, again, again, again, again)

Dear world,

This morning when the sitter and I took a walk, something was unusually bright. I could not put my paw on it until I decided to look back at my photos and found one of me taking a morning walk in the dark. That bright sparkle in the middle is the special light my sitter made me wear. Because my fur is so dark, it is difficult to see me at night.

This is from a time when the sun was lazy, waking up late and going to bed early. Thank goodness the days are getting longer. It means my Mommy and Daddy will be home soon.

Wish me luck, world! Only 7 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 55: Gracie has a crush

Dear world,

Today was just supposed to be another normal day at daycare. Except it was not. Today I met a new dog and he was handsome!

I hope he did not mind that I was staring from afar. He was absolutely dreamy and his smile was adorable.

His name is Horton. Could you even pick a sweeter name? (Besides Gracie, of course.)

I wish I had been able to snap a picture, so my paw-drawn sketch will have to do.

Now, I do not want to get ahead of myself, but do you think it is possible that Horton may like me too? He is older, more mature. Are there any rules about age difference when it comes to puppy love?

Wish me luck, world! Only 8 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 54: Play ball!

Dear world,

It is hard to believe that we are now into the single digits of days remaining. It is also hard to believe that baseball season is about to start!

I like all the teams but as a proudly Canadian puppy, I must cheer for the Blue Jays. Plus birds are fun to chase.

Today is the first preseason game for the Jays. They play against the Pirates. In honour of this special day, I say "Play ball!"

Wish me luck, world! Only 9 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 53: Pooch is pooped

Dear world,

I am still tired from yesterday. I suppose it means that I had a nice time at my play session with Penny and the other dogs. Tired is good, the sitter always tells me.

This is how I like to lounge on the couch sometimes. Having paws in the air is fun, but so is dangling my head off the couch.

Going to keep this short so I can rest up for the week.

Wish me luck, world! Only 10 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 52: Bonus post

Dear world,

Send help. So tired. Cannot lift head.

Wish me luck, world! Still only 11 days to go.

Love, Gracie

Day 52: This is Penny

Dear world,

Today, the sitter brought me for another play session at the doggy day care. As expected, it was really fun and I made lots of friends.

And this time, the sitter did slightly better and took some pictures of my new friend, Penny. I say "slightly better" because some of them were not very good and Penny's Mommy and Daddy had to send me some of their photos so that I could at least have some quality pictures for my blog. (Thank you to Penny's Mommy and Daddy!)

So here is Penny. She is very friendly.

This is when we first met. I am taller than Penny, but she is older than me, so I think it all averages out.

This is us sharing a treat. It was another dog's birthday and we all had "pupcakes." How clever!

Hydration is very important when you are playing. This is Penny and me visiting the water station.

So we had a great day running around and chasing each other (although it was usually Penny who was doing the chasing.)

Here we are saying goodbye. I hope that I will get to see Penny again soon.

Now that I am home, I am exhausted, barely keeping my little eyes open as I finish today's post.

Looking forward to a well-deserved rest on the couch.

Wish me luck, world! Only 11 days to go.

Love, Gracie