S P O I L E D

Remember way back, before the girls were born, when I was worried about how our dog would adjust to his new role of not being the baby in the family? But instead being placed on the back burner to our new arrivals?  

Well, for those that may have been wondering, he's doing juuuust fine.

My First Child

When I was 22 years old, I had just finished an internship in Nashville and moved back to Chattanooga to finish my final semester of college. I missed all of my friends in Nashville, and most of my friends back in Chattanooga were now gone. This transition was so difficult for me to make. I had two good friends call me up and tell me that while driving down this incredibly busy road in Chattanooga, they spotted this tiny kitten running back and forth across the road. They stopped, chased it down, and took it home. Having an inside dog of their own, they couldn't keep the cat. But, they thought of me and had me come meet this tiny little kitty.

She was gray with a broken tail and truly was the coolest kitten I'd ever played with. I took her home and named her Grace because she was my saving grace for a very lonely time in my life. And 12 years later, after being my constant companion and easiest roommate all through my twenties, moving with me back to Nashville, then to Johnson City, then to Greeneville, then up to Michigan, then back down to Georgia, she passed away just a few weeks ago.

I call her my first child because she was the first living thing that truly was my responsibility to take care of, to keep fed, hydrated, happy and healthy. She was my baby girl to take care of...and I loved her so very, very much. She was an incredibly social cat who never met a stranger. When I lived in Nashville, she had a kitty door and would come and go as she pleased. One day she was sitting out on the front porch with me when a couple walked by on our street. They stopped and asked if she was my cat. When I told them she was, they told me that she would come visit them at night and sleep in their bed with them! They had even named her! Nope, never met a stranger. That cat.

I am so thankful that she lived long enough to see me get married and get her own "daddy", comfort me through nauseous moments of my pregnancy, and finally, meet my girls! While they won't remember it, the girls can now say that yes, they have already had their own kitty cat! I'm so glad Gracie was their first pet cat.

When she got sick, I told her that it was ok if it was her time to go...that she had fulfilled my need of companionship when I needed it the most, and that I hoped I had fulfilled her need of love and nurturing through a happy, long life. I pointed to my girls and told her my life could not be more full now. And I think she was trying to tell me that a new life filled with getting her fur pulled and yanked at just wasn't going to classify as a "happy life" for her anymore! ha ha!

So, on May 11, 2009, the day after Mother's Day, my "baby girl" Gracie passed away at 12 years old. She was a great pet, a great companion, and a great friend. I will always miss my first child. Rest in peace, little Gracie girl.

Moving to Michigan - sat on my lap the entire drive up.

Bailey shared his bed with her....

A typical day at the office for me. She loved sitting on all my papers!!

Helping Lynsey do her homework.

Grace talking to Lynsey on the web cam.

"Do not like this cage. Do not like this cage! Need to eat that bird. Cage won't let me."

Drinking out of the sink (her favorite past time) as mommy's belly grows.

Gracie meets the new baby girls!

"What are these cute 'toys' and why are they taking up my drinking space?"
(Look closely at the top of the pic.)

She was comforted by her "brother" Bailey the night before she died.

Bailey and Gracie snuggling for the last time. She was so sick, but the minute he snuggled with her, she did not stop purring.

Gracie. The coolest cat that ever was. Rest in peace my dear furry friend.

Gracie Meets the Girls

She's not sure what to think about these babies, but she starts purring as soon as they get near. Bailey, by the way, was not around when this meeting took place. He would never allow it!!

A Protective Beagle

Madeline on the left, Savannah on the right (Above)

Savannah on the left, Madeline on the right (Above)

These two pics are taken of the girls basking in the afterglow of a great meal! They are so funny how lazy they get once they are happy with full bellies! One thing I have started to notice is how protective big brother Bailey is getting of the girls. I was so worried that Bailey would have a hard time adjusting to life with two new babies in the house, but instead, he is becoming more protective of them! Every time that I feed the babies, Bailey has to sit right by my side. And more recently, I've noticed that our cat Gracie has not been coming around...this is because whenever I am holding the babies and Bailey starts to see Gracie walking across the room, he will lunge towards her to back off!! She will not come near me or the babies when Bailey is around! Also, today Bailey started licking Savannah's hand and just loving on her. It was so precious - he loves his baby girls!! And yes, she got a good hand washing after that.

The Dog Factor

In the last few weeks, I've noticed our beagle, Bailey, has become much, much more clingy to his mommy than ever before. He's always been loyal to me, but this is getting ridiculous. Nighttime is a hoot. After repeated attempts to get him to go to his bed, he will literally jump over top of Chris to run up next to me and lay down...often plopping right on top of my belly. It is a never ending "argument" we have with him until the wee hours of the night! I think somehow he senses that either A) I'm uncomfortable and it scares him, or, B) he senses some big - huge - changes are coming. Either way, our dog's world is about to completely change. We may need a doggy shrink for this.

Bailey in full form - 11/13/08

And no, he's not supposed to be curled up on that blanket...my favorite blanket...anything with my scent, and he's all over it. We're in trouble.