Monday, 10 November 2014

Saved by Gracie

Welcome to OMD Mondays.
I hope you all had a great weekend :)

Today I am happy to introduce you to Jan Dunlap.
She will be guest posting here on the blog today.

Jan is the author of Saved By Gracie : How a rough and tumble rescue dog dragged me back to health, happiness and God.

Take it away Jan!


I confess: I always thought it sounded corny when someone said “My rescued dog rescued me.”
Until it happened to me.
And then it wasn’t just a case of ‘rescuing’ as much as ‘totally changing.’
At the age of 56, I gave in to my teenage daughter’s pleas to adopt a dog. Some days, I still marvel that I caved, especially since I’d been afraid of dogs my whole life, and had adamantly refused to even consider a dog in our home despite my four older children’s campaigns over the years. But when my daughter began to experience some symptoms of the anxiety disorder that had taken over my own life, I decided that if a dog would help her avoid my fate, I would somehow learn to live with a dog.
And boy, have I learned to live!
Thanks to our black lab-mix Gracie, I no longer suffer from an anxiety disorder. Once I realized this big dog was not going to eat me, but simply needed someone to trust and love, I let go of my fear of dogs and dedicated myself to being that person for her. As I immersed myself in reading every book I could find about dog psychology and dog care, I put aside my own anxieties to focus on being a good dog-owner. As a result, I found myself taking on some of Gracie’s behaviors – the good ones, I mean, like being spontaneous, living in the present, embracing every moment as adventure. (Fortunately, I didn’t pick up the bad habits, like licking the sofa and eating food found on the sidewalk.) I’d never imagined that the thing I feared – a dog – would be my cure for anxiety, but there you have it.
Now I’m happy to say that my rescued dog rescued me. Corny or not, it’s the truth!
Saved By Gracie "will win your heart and sympathy for every dog waiting to be adopted and for every person who needs a dog in his or her life." Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian"

Take a moment to watch the book trailer as well :




Book orders <here>

Find Jan on Facebook
Linkedin
Pinterest
Twitter
and Google+
Visit her website at jandunlap.com


Love is being owned by a husky would like to thank Jan for sharing her wonderful story with us today.
I hope you all take a moment and check out her inspiring book.

Remember our Featured Item at Pawz 'N' Clawz this week!
Click the image (below) to take you to our shop!


AND - Last day to enter the giveaway for the 2015 Petter Planner!


See you tomorrow :-)

22 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing and that is a very sweet story. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Sounds like Gracie really did save Jan. EXCELLENT.

    Purrs,
    Nissy

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    1. Yes, she sure did! i absolutely love the story!

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  3. What a beautiful tale. I have to tell you when I saw the title of your post it made me think of my own Gracie and how much I still miss her.

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    1. Aw i'm sorry about that. As soon as I saw the title of her book I thought of your Gracie as well xoxo

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  4. What a great story! I can totally relate to a dog's presence being able to reduce anxiety. I'm happy that Jan and Gracie found each other!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Cathy, Isis & Phoebe
    www.dogsluvusandweluvthem.blogspot.com

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    1. Me too. Our pets can help us with so many things, anxiety and depression is a big one. There is always nothing but love in their eyes, and you just can't help but feel good about that.

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  5. What a fabulous story! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I love this story! I didn't love dogs my whole life either, was even a bit afraid of them at one time. One dog can really change your whole attitude about that, and Gracie's story is even a step up from that in helping Jan's health as well! This book sounds great.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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    1. I was raised always with both dogs and cats, but I was truly a "cat person" for a long time in my life. I consider myself to be both now. I think it is so inspiring to think how our pets can help us in every way possible!

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  7. loved loved loved this book, thank you for the review.

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    1. You are very welcome! Thanks for coming by Jan!

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