Tail Wagging Tuesday: Special Pup Feature- Gracie

This week's special feature pup belongs to one of my very best friends.  Jennifer and I were roomies in college and grad school, and she will forever be referred to as "my roommate," despite the fact that we don't live together anymore.  Jennifer's sweet little Gracie holds a special place in my heart because I'm her "God-mom."  Haha!  Jennifer got her when we were in graduate school together, so I lived with this sweet fur baby for a year.  Now, let's see what Jennifer has to say about her...

What kind of dog is Gracie?  How old is she?
     Gracie is a 3 year old red Miniature Dachsund.

Where did you get Gracie?  What's her story?

     Gracie came to live with me during my husband's first deployment. I was currently working on my MBA and lived in a townhouse near school, with my roomie Lindsay. I had always wanted a puppy of my own so the search on Craigslist began. Lindsay found Gracie at a home not far from where my parents lived. I called my parents immediately to pick her up for me. We met my dad halfway between where I lived and where they lived to get her. When I first saw her, I could barely see her little head above the grass. She weighed all of one pound and could fit in my hand. It was love at first sight, and by 9:00 that night, Gracie was finally home.

How did Gracie get her name?
     Gracie was not actually the first name I had picked out for my new pup. I always wanted a little dog, and I was going to name her "Bitsy". With a last name of Cox, however, I thought that would be cruel Lindsay and I eventually settled on the name "Gracie"--I liked the name "Grace" but "Gracie" seemed more appropriate for a little dog.

What are Gracie's favorite things to do?  Things that make her unique?  Crazy quirks or special sweet things she does?
     Gracie has more personality than any dog I've ever known. She loves to sunbathe, play with her "babies", chase her ball, bark at our neighbors--or at nothing, depending on how she's feeling. She knows how to "play dead" if you hold your hand like a gun, point it at her and say "BANG!".   She can also sit and roll over if you give her a treat, and she will give tons of puppy kisses if you ask her to. She loves to go on walks and her ears perk up every time you say the words "walk", "treat", and "ball".  She sleeps in the bed between me and my husband with her head on my pillow and her little legs sticking straight out. And if she doesn't feel like she has enough room in the bed, she will kick you until you move. If she ever has an accident or does something bad, she gives herself away because you will find her hiding in the corner with her tail tucked between her legs in shame. She will even "apologize" by waddling over and "kissing" you until all is forgiven. She is always a good listener, a great companion, and the sweetest "child" I could ever ask for.

What makes Gracie so special to you and your family?  What does she mean to you?
     Gracie is our whole world. She has kept me company through two year-long deployments, and she is always excited to see me or just be with me. She is super protective of her "mom" and she will bark anyone's head off who tries to come between us. My husband Chris and I don't have children...but with Gracie, we feel like we have one. And for now, she is all we need.

Jennifer didn't send me this video, and I'm not sure if she knows I have it, but it's adorable.  So, Jennifer, here's a flashback for you.  Can you believe she was this little? :)

Hope you all loved Gracie as much as I do!