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      It is with a very heavy heart that we share that at 12:51pm Saturday, September 19, 2023 Gracie passed away very unexpectedly during an emergency surgery. We are in shock, processing our grief and really have no words at this time. Our Goldens all hold very special places in our hearts and Gracie will never be forgotten!

       Gracie was born on April 19, 2019. She was one of 10 puppies born in Ellie (Sayler's Elegant Lady Juliana) and Preacher's (Hibberts Upland Preacher) Spring Litter. From the beginning Gracie stole Jillian’s heart and earned her nickname “Pinkie Pie”. Her registered name Sayler’s Graceful Lady Esperanza holds special meaning for our family. Her mama Ellie belonged to our precious Julianna and as Ellie’s daughter we wanted her name to be connected to Julianna. While fighting DIPG Brain cancer in Mexico Julianna’s favorite Spanish word quickly became “Esperanza” which means Hope.

      Gracie wighted 61 pounds and was 23 inches tall at the shoulders. She was very athletic, a quick learner, sensitive, and loved to be cuddled. Gracie had the darkest mahogany red of all our dogs and had a way of just making you feel happy and relaxed when around her. She loved to find the tiniest basket, box or bed to curl up in or lay twisted upside down. Her favorite was a laundry basket full of our clean clothes! She was an avid swimmer, dock diver, could run with great speed and smoothness leaving all our other dogs in the dust. She had a mischievous side too! She knew how to open all of our doors in the house and would open doors to let dogs out or in or to steal a prized stuffed animal in a room she wasn’t suppose to be in. 

      She was Winston’s steady rock. He doesn’t know life without his adopted sister. She knew how to calm his anxiety and we would often find them curled up next to each other with Gracie’s head on his back. She was Ellie’s partner in parenting. She helped her raise 3 litters of her siblings and even wanted to be a mama so bad that during Ellie’s 3rd litter she started lactating. Gracie was in heaven helping her feed 10 puppies and it was so amazing to see them work together loving those pups.

      Gracie was naturally an amazing Mama and when she had her own litter (Spanish) on January 4, 2022 we felt blessed to watch her raise her 2 girls and 4 boys. We never thought that would be her only litter but are thankful for the memories and that we have Hank (Sayler's Handsome Sir Hank) to carry on her genetics. I could go on and on about our Gracie Girl but there really aren’t enough words to describe her or how lost we feel without her. 

We love you Gracie and you will always be in our hearts!