PAW IMPRINTS. . .
Supporters sharing their stories and pictures of
loving & living with senior canines...
click on a story below
Supporters sharing their stories and pictures of
loving & living with senior canines...
click on a story below
TO THE PAW PRINTS ON OUR HEARTS - A TRIBUTE TO LUCKY
Re-Visiting the Bucket List
Saying goodbye is never easy, particularly for the elderly and their devoted and loyal pet companions. Since being rescued from a kill shelter in Nebraska, Lucy (a shepherd mix) quickly became my mom's new life partner. Lucy and my mom, (Carmelita) happily remained together until my mom’s debilitating stroke forced Lucy to be re-homed. My mom never forgot about her Lucy and frequently spoke with Mikayla (her granddaughter) for updates. In spite of being a little slower and not as agile, my mom still had her “bucket list” which included things like a hot air balloon ride, among others.
All 'Couped' Up In Love
When you love dogs and give your time, money, or influence, you often hear heartbreaking stories. And there are so many of them. Sometimes, dogs and their humans magically find each other, and through that experience, they develop a life-long bond.
Meet Winnie and Lucy, oh and don’t forget Grady and Brooke and Allie and Bella and others who share life with their parents, Sharon and Jim Coupe.
Winnie and Lucy were only four months old when they surrendered to the Humane Society and the other seven Pyrenees/Lab mix brothers and sisters. Sharon planned to bring home one puppy until she and Jim saw these two sisters huddled together. Lucy was meek and scared and laying quietly behind her sister, Winnie, who was very protective. So, both found their way into the hearts and home of their humans. In their senior years now, they have been cared for, fed, walked, played with, and loved. Best of all, the commitment of their folks continues to be rock solid.

Grady, another senior family pet, spent many years on the streets. Hungry, afraid, and filthy, Grady was found and brought home — along with his bad attitude and fundamental mistrust of humans. The years have taught him that he is safe, but he still harbors some deep-seated wariness from his questionable past. Grady needs assurance every day, but the joy he gives back is invaluable!
Then there was Allie, displaced and never claimed after the hurricane on the coast a few years ago. Today, a fat and happy chihuahua mix isn’t a fan of storms, but she loves cuddles from her family.
Rounding out the menagerie are two other rescued dogs, Brooke and Bella (both VERY attached to Jim!), donkeys, and chickens.

As parents, Sharon & Jim embrace the work, mud, mess, barking, clucking, and basic craziness that comes with opening their hearts to those who need a helping paw.
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Sharon shares her love and compassion as a volunteer Bunkhouse Ranch Boss. On behalf of Living Grace Canine Ranch and our old pack, we extend our paws of blessings to Sharon & her family.
Expected Two, Blessed with Twelve Months of Loving Honey
It was just a normal day volunteering at the capital area humane society with my mom. We were about to walk out the door when I saw this scared, cold, and broken little dog. I asked my mom if we could visit with just one more dog. Now, I've alsways had a quirk for weird or lonely dogs, but this one little dog was calling out to me. I just couldn't leave without meeting her. We opened the door to her kennel to find her lying on her cot and she stood up to see us. She didn't bark or try to escape. I think she was just happy that someone wanted to see the old weird looking dog. She was wearing a red sweater that hid her sad, mis-shaped back.
hearts The way Honey waddled around the house and followed you to see where you were going. the way she always licked you. The way she always pranced around my feet when I got home from school. The way every time I carried her down the porch steps into our backyard she went around the yard running the fence line. The way she slept with her feet over her small soft head. Whe will be remembered in all these ways and more. Honey was an amazing sweet and funny dog. She was always excited to see you and now she's running the fence with our boxer Bella, peacefully and happily in doggie Hearven. I love you Honey.
Three Legs Later, Still Living a Fully Enriched Canine Life
Meet The Leckners, A Working Canine Family Now Retired
Our family members are retired service dogs. The oldest and first to be adopted is Binny, she will be 15 years of age this November 25th. You see, my daughter (Lindsey) lives with three other girls who were also blind.

Meet Pronto: (upper right): He turns 12 in two months, and he was my daughter’s guide for eight years while in college and living in Southern Califiornia with three other blind girlfriends Pronto became quite the expert with commerical bus travel and at times helped bring her home from being lost.
After 8 years I adopted Pronto from Guide Dogs for the Blind (GBD). He is an extremely anxious dog. He will be laying at my feet, as he is right now, and all of a sudden will jump up like he was startled and start to whimper and bark if not given immediate attention. I love him to death, my God, he protected my daughter for 8 years
Meet Foreman (above/center) This December, he turns thirteen. He guided Sarah (roommate) as she took Culinary classes at the University of Irvine. She let me adopt him at around eight years of service as well. In 2016 he developed an eye pressure problem, which led us to have his right eye removed. Around 2018 his left eye began to cloud up after we moved here to Austin.
After the arduous journey of repeated visits to an animal ophthalmologist, trying different medications, in the end, our prayers were not answered. We lost the battle, and I was devastated. It wasn’t fair in the least.
Foreman is a big dog (around 85 lbs.). He is the gentlest that any dog could be. You can do anything you want to him, and he’ll let you. When we go out for a walk, I need to alert him to step up or down at curbs continually. He is used to our home, likes to climb the steps to sleep upstairs, and is completely happy and content.

Meet Nova: My wife is a member of a puppy raiser club here as she was in Bakersfield. On 10/13/16, Nova was born at GDB. She was given to my wife to train and raise her. She taught her to travel alongside her, stop automatically at curbs, and learn how to stay focused. Unfortunately, the evaluator from GDB turned her down, so we adopted her as well.
I know this is long, but I’m only scratching the surface. I consider these pups my children; they are my love and joy. My two kids have grown and are gone. It is just my wife, Binny, Pronto, Foreman, Nova, and me. We are a very happy family.

Itty Bitty Bevo, Our Little Texan Longhorn
Our love story began on Saturday, November 22, 2003. Only minutes after arriving at the breeders, a tiny 10-week-old Shitzu/Maltese puppy ran to my wife's open arms. We knew immediately this was our little 'Shit-Mal'.

He was small, mostly white with brown ears – the opposite of his namesake, who is brown with white horns, so the name Bevo was perfect. Bevo rules our 2-acre lot in Round Rock. Through the years, he has chased many deer and squirrels, met horses, and befriended numerous feral cats who seem to adore him. Inside the house, Bevo's BFF is Bennie our cat.

On March 27, 2019, Bevo had a seizure. His vet thinks he has a brain tumor and put him on Prednisone. It has taken him some time to get back to his usual self, and he sometimes stumbles.
He has lost some hearing but is still alert. The seizure was a year and a half ago, and Bevo is still with us.

At 17 years of age, Bevo is and always will be 'our puppy', our family member and our lives' delight.
To this day, we continue to smile whenever Bevo creates a 'new game'. He has us trained to put his treats on the floor and walk away before he picks them up. We love this little man, and look forward to many more treat times with our precious Bevo.

From Loss To Love, My Heart Will Never Be The Same
There was a time in my canine 'mom' years that only Yorkies & Shih Tzus staked a claim in our home. Then no more than six weeks after the passing of my last 12-yr old furbaby and experienceing grief, it all changed.
My Best Friend and My True Buddy
My BFF was named Buddy. At age 11 1/2, he passed over the rainbow bridge on November 15. 2015, after a 2nd bout with cancer. We adopted Buddy from a local rescue when he was 3 1/2. Buddy was a beautiful red golden retriever, but that wasn't always his appearance.
A Tale of Happy Rescued Tails
All our babydogs have been rescues, that is, they have rescued us and enriched our lives far beyond anything we could have anticipated or deserved.
My husband and I served more than 20 years in the Army, moving constantly, deploying to faraway places, living life on the move. Throughout that time I made myself an oft-repeated promise: when I retire I’m going to have a dog!
One day while walking Bobbin we passed an alley that she insisted on entering, tugging forcefully on her leash. I followed to discover a tiny “dead” puppy. Bobbin refused to leave the little ball of fluff and I discovered it was a puppy, discarded with someone’s trash. And she was alive.
We moved home to Texas and visited a local shelter where a shaggy little Poodle girl
And that’s the tale of happy tails, full of sound and fury and signifying everything worthwhile in life.
We will see what the future holds for us all.
Catching Bad Guys & Sniffing Bombs…You Are My Hero
K9 Jaris was recently injured in the line of duty. Due to the overwhelming response and support from people across the USA this page has been made and dedicated to his recovery and eventual return to duty. Please visit
fontanak9pals.com for more.
Love, Laughter and Tears
Ginger and I settled into our daily routine after Fred was gone and were together all day, every day. She was a quiet and gentle spirit. I worked from home for years so her sweet nature was an asset. She was never a cuddle-bug but we shared the sofa and it always made me smile to look over and see her napping beside me. We also shared my bed at night. She developed a non-regenerating anemia and I lost her to the disease. I still look for her in the mornings when I wake up and sometimes during the day and I’m reminded she is gone. Yes, it’s terribly sad but I get joy from remembering what great companions both Fred and Ginger were and plan to open my heart to a senior rescue some day in the future.
Sugar & Spice, Perfect Family Flavoring
“Hey Mister, do you want some puppies?” they asked.
“No,” he replied as they insisted he hold one. “
That did it.” He came home two little Terrier-mix sisters. One was a light colored “fawn” and the other was darker “like cinnamon” and perfectly named them Sugar and Spice.
We all became attached in no time and they were a such a joy. “We each had our own puppy.” Sugar seemed to want to be with me and Spice became my husband’s shadow and knew every move he would make or be making.

When my husband became ill with cancer, Spice never left his side. She would run up the stairs before him and wait for him to follow. After he passed away, I know she was looking for him.

Living Grace Canine Ranch has provided the “perfect solution” for our two little sisters who have been together since they were born. It will be hard to say goodbye to my best friends but I know in my heart it will be best for us all. “Thank you Rhonda!” I will spread the word about LCGR and help raise money and awareness among my friends for your “wonderful dream adventure for unadoptable dogs”.
LGCR Comment: Sugar & Spice are residents of our Forever Home program. Our dedicated team of volunteers and certified canine behavior specialists will assist Sugar & Spice’s socialization needs. If the sisters are not candidates for adoption as a pair, they will enjoy ranch life in-sanctuary. Margaret will continue to visit her best friends and go on day-trip outings (these girls love to shop). Lastly, we thank Margaret for entrusting LGCR with their life of happiness and unconditional love.
Was It Fate Or Facebook?
Is it possible to experience love at first sight from a picture posted on Facebook?

That's what happened to LGCR volunteer Beverly the first time she saw her Bassett Hound Louie’s “happy face” in a photo posted by a friend. “I knew the minute I saw his picture I was a goner.”
After about two years, the “poorly socialized” Louie had been surrendered back to his breeder, who had posted a request for someone to adopt him. “I must have been crazy because I already had a 13-year-old Basset Hound - Myrtle.” It wasn’t until about a week later that she and the breeder discovered his many “quirks,” but “I knew I just couldn’t give up on him.” Then, Myrtle passed away suddenly about four months after Louie arrived in their lives. “Louie helped me tremendously in grieving the loss of Myrtle. I didn’t have to come home to an empty house.”

Initially, Louie was “a big ole’ chicken,” afraid of men in hats and brooms. “He was just scared and lacked confidence. I took him with me everywhere I could.” Now, two years later, he has adjusted very well, she said. “He’s very loving, sweet, and devoted. And he loves little dogs like chihuahuas and dachshunds. I think there is a reason I have him.” Louie is not the only lucky dog to have Beverly in his life.
At LGCR, Beverly volunteers as a Ranch Buddy by visiting, playing, and loving our residents without fostering who is currently in boarding school.
Everyday Is A Holiday
I saw him across the room. Brown, shiny hair, big brown liquid eyes, silly smile, and what’s that — two girls hanging on to his every word! I didn’t have a chance. But my husband encouraged me to go meet him; so bravely I took off. One step and then another, and soon I had traversed the length of the room. He was in front of me. The girls looked at me and then at him and an unspoken word was uttered. All of a sudden I was holding this 23 pound, five month old, chocolate lab mix (emphasis on mix), who in one swift movement looked up at me with those eyes (oh, those eyes!) and gave me a big, sloppy lick — and then another — and then another. I was a goner!
The rescue organization sponsoring this adoption was quick to help us make him our own. And because of a sappy old Hallmark movie, his name became Krismas. By the way, we later adopted Eve!

That 23 pound puppy grew into a solid, silly, lovable giant of 110 pounds. Today he is coming up on his twelfth birthday. His hair is a bit duller now with lots of silver mixed in. His eyes are a bit cloudy. He still has that silly smile but he walks slower these days and has trouble with his hips. But he still melts my heart!!
Even as our old guy continues to age and requires a different kind of attention, he’s still a very important part of our family. That’s why we believe so strongly in the values of Living Grace Canine Ranch, a haven for senior dogs to belong, be valued and be loved. If only all dogs would have the love Krismas has — or the love Living Grace gives Layla, Hemi or Cora Claus.

Cody Is My Name & Love Is My Game
If Only Dogs Could Talk

Well, I’m a firm believer that they can. My sister and I were on the phone one day, and she told me about a rescue site that had just posted a picture of a Yorkie that was going to be euthanized in two days. These stories always tug at my heart, but looking into the face of that dog made me think he was trying to tell me something. His big eyes were round as saucers, and he seemed to exude hopelessness. I couldn’t turn away. The only answer was, “go get him!”
My husband, Jim, drove to the airport, boarded a plane, flew to the shelter, and picked up our new fur baby. When he brought him home, we gave him a new life and a new name — Chew-Chew!
But I was curious. What was Chew-Chew’s story? Well, let me introduce you to our little guy and let him tell you about his past.

Hi Human!
My name is Chew-Chew now, and I like my name. I didn’t have a name before. I was raised in a tiny kennel at this place called a puppy mill and only got out when I needed to sire a new litter.
The hair on my head never grew right because my kennel was tiny, and my head hit the top of it all the time. I didn’t always know if I would have food for the day, so my stomach growled a lot. There was no playtime, only work time. And once I barked when I shouldn’t have, and my trachea was crushed—that hurt!
When I got too old to “perform,” my humans took me to a place called a kill shelter and surrendered me. They didn’t want to waste food and space on me as I grew old.

Then the most amazing thing happened. In walked this big guy named Jim. I call him Dad now. He picked me up and said, “you’re coming with me!” Well, that was just fine with me because when he tucked me under his arm, for the very first time in my life, I felt safe and warm.
When I got to my new home, I had a yard to run in, and I figured out I love to run! I have friends to play with, and even though they are Dobermans, I tell them what to do, and they let me. I eat at regular times every single day, and I have more than enough food. (Don’t tell my mom, but I’m overweight, and I enjoy every pound!). I feel safe for the first time in my life.

If only humans could speak dog….my mom and dad would hear me say every single day how grateful I am to them for saving my life. I would then ask them to remind other humans that the animal shelters and rescue organizations have all sorts of dogs and cats that need a loving home. Please consider these choices.
I am sending licks and howls of gratitude for Cindy and Jim, my family!
Love, Chew-Chew!

Ear Ye! Ear Ye!
I’ll bet you thought ears were for hearing, right? Well, that’s not always true. My new mom took one look at my ears and fell in love with me. Yep! From the tip of my ears down to the end of my tail, she made me hers.
I was growing old with my folks, living life in love and contentment. Then things started to change. My dad passed away, then it was just my mom and me. Mom loved me very much, and we had long talks each day. She missed my dad, and so did I.

Then I started seeing some changes in my mom. She would sometimes forget to let me outside, and every once in a while, both of us would forget to eat. People would come to visit her, and one day they told us both that she would have to go to a place where they could take care of people who were losing their memory. I would have to go to a new home. We both cried a lot before we had to say goodbye to each other.
A new home for me meant I had to fit in with new people and new dogs. I wasn’t particularly welcome there and often felt like a burden. It’s an awful way to feel. These new people told me that they didn’t have room for me and that I had to go elsewhere. What was an old dog like me supposed to do?
Well, what happened next is pretty much a miracle! Living Grace Canine Ranch was building a ‘bunkhouse’ for senior canines to live out their lives in love and compassion. But it was a few months away from being ready, and I was out of time! But the Ranch put my picture on their website, and WOWZER! My new mom and dad saw my ears. My ears! Can you believe it?

They fell in love with my ears. The next thing I knew, I was in a new home with really active people and another dog like me named Olive. I have a big yard to play in, and I can go down to the creek and jump in if I want to, and no one gets mad! I feel young again — and loved!

Bottom line — I’m glad I have my ears. And I’m happy that my ‘furever’ family found me. You see, Living Grace Canine Ranch is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to saving, serving, and valuing the lives of Texas senior canines. And my new mom and dad are passionate about the same things!! Living Grace accomplishes their mission by offering dogs of all breeds physical, emotional, and medical challenges the opportunity to live in-sanctuary or be united with a forever family. Thank goodness my family helped an old dog out!
