Golden Gracie Cheats Death

Gas chambers. Even if you're not old enough to remember World War II, you've seen the pictures. The emotions they arouse in all of us are ones of mortal terror. How could anyone mastermind such an evil?

We shake our heads, grateful that such days are over. And they are for people, but not for animals. On September 7, 2007 at 3:15 p.m., Vicki Soles sat down to read her email. A headline, sent by The Mosby Foundation, flashed across her screen. URGENT!

Vicki opened it and read the following: "This beautiful Golden will be PTS (put to sleep) 9/7 at 4:30 p.m. SPALDING (Georgia) IS A GASSING FACILITY FOR EUTHANASIA. Can anyone take in a two year old Golden? She's due to be gassed today at 4:30 p.m."

Vicki saw the picture and her heart stopped. A Golden Retriever with a sweetness that spoke from hundreds of miles away melted her heart. It was as if the dog was begging for her life. Her eyes pleaded with Vicki, "Please! Please! Somebody save me!"

Vicki got more than a sad picture of a dog about to die a horrible death. She got a heart connection. She knew without a doubt, this Golden was meant to be her dog, and she was not going to let her die.

Frantically, she looked at her watch. It was now 3:30. She had exactly 60 minutes to save the life of her dog. Immediately, she called the Spalding facility and confirmed that the dog they called Goldie was going to die a horrific death in less than an hour.

There was no hesitation on Vicki's part. She was in full battle mode. Her next call was to The Mosby Foundation. We put the wheels in motion to rescue this two-year old gem. Immediately papers were faxed to Spalding, Georgia with the emboldened words, STAY OF EXECUTION.

With less than 30 minutes until she was scheduled to die a frightening death, Goldie was not only spared, her new life, destined to be full of love, was already set to begin. It took five days, multiple phone calls, emails and temporary foster care, but Goldie made it to her new home, and with a new name, Grace.

Gracie's arrival into the Soles' household was bittersweet. Vicki's beloved Sheepdog, Beau, passed away two days after Gracie's arrival. Although quite elderly, Beau had been a tremendous source of comfort to both Vicki and her husband, Lonnie, when they lost their daughter tragically 13 years ago.But Beau understood it was time to let go. He knew that after all the Soles had been through,Gracie would naturally love them as much as he did. They were in good hands.

Grace, or Gracie as she's mostly called, has indeed, made a complete transformation into a totally loved family dog. She enjoys the company of 13 year old Sheepdog, Maggie,(Unfortunately, old age took Maggie later) and 7 year old, Pup, not to mention her new mom and dad.

Gracie has no qualms about inviting herself into the Soles' bed, or on the love seat next to Pup as the Soles watch TV in the evenings. She's a well-adjusted dog who knows she's unconditionally loved. And she gives back every single day.

Gracie knows how precious these moments are. With too many harrowing days as a dog condemned to death for a crime she did not commit, she savors a life well loved by those around her.

Vicki has since adopted another rescue with the assistance of The Mosby Foundation and saved two more dogs scheduled to be put to sleep. With so many dogs in danger, their lives literally at stake, Vicki reflects on the obvious truth of pet ownership.

"I read the paper, looking at the list of dogs for sale, and I ask myself, How can we? There are so many Gracies in gassing shelters in North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia. Why go out and buy a dog? If we truly love dogs, we have to ask ourselves, Why shop when we can adopt and save a life?!"

Gracie agrees, as do thousands of other dogs whose lives hang in peril everyday. But they wonder, as do all the rescue groups, what will it take to get the humans to agree, too?

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