Lucy Grace-fully crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at home in Charlestown, MA.  It was completely on her own time (like everything else she did) and in the comfort and safety of her mama’s arms while they were cuddle-bugging.

 

Lucy was a Fourth of July puppy and she loved that her birthday was a national celebration…complete with barbecuing, fireworks, lots of prizes, frozen yogurt treats with sparklers and homemade birthday cake.  On Lucy’s 11th birthday - a blessed milestone in itself, as Lucy had just been diagnosed with hermangiosarcoma and a heart arrhythmia after surviving an emergency splenectomy in April 2021 - her mama’s wish was for Lucy to see her twelfth birthday.  Always up for a challenge, Lucy made a wish of her own…to grant mama her wish, plus 6 more days.

 

In the year and nearly 3 months following her surgery, she lived life like she normally had…wiggling, yapping, being the best cuddle bug ever, taking w-a-l-ks with her buddies, giving kisses to daddy (to make mama jealous), sunbathing and drinking from the hose in the summer, watching movies with daddy (taking one for the team, since she knew mama doesn’t like movies), chomping on the snow in the winter and devouring (on-demand!) her favorite Yaya’s chickens.  One would never imagine she had overcome so much and was battling even more from time-to-time.  She loved vacationing in the country (going to Yaya’s house), zooms on the beach, taking walks by the waterfront (God forbid she dip a toe and get wet), going to the p-a-r-k, “yappy hours,” lake trips, exploring reservations, family holidays in Philly and going on adventures (even the ones involving a life jacket and a car ferry).

 

While she wasn’t a licensed therapy or comfort dog, Lucy was her mama’s official, full and unwavering support system…a gift that training didn’t teach her and only she knew how to do.  She provided endless amounts of happiness to everyone she was around…even to some who had a fear of dogs and a few who claimed to not be huge dog-people.  Lucy had a fierce will to live and an even fiercer way to love…she lived selflessly, didn’t have an aggressive b-o-n-e in her body and was simply a happy girl being included (no matter what the shenanigans were).  She loved her family and doggie cousins, and knew how much they loved her too.  Lucy was the sweetest and bestest girl “in the ENTIRE universe” and she was loved “CRAZY amounts” (insert Lucy’s side-eye look here).  Lucy -- was perfect.

 

Lucy has left a huge void in our lives, but not in our hearts…she will always be with us and will forever be deeply missed.  If you would like to honor Lucy’s sweet memory, her mama and daddy ask that donations be made to The National Canine Cancer Foundation: https://wearethecure.org

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On July 12, 2022, a private cremation service was completed for our beloved Lucy at Rainbow's End in Danvers, MA (https://rainbowsendpetcremation.com).  Jason and Nicole, fellow pet parents and owners of the sanctuary, gave Lucy the utmost respectful and dignified final journey.  It's a moment in time that nobody wants to reach with their fur-baby, and it was met with an immeasurable level of compassion, care and guidance.  Thank you, Jason and Nicole, for treating Lucy (and us) like family.

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...last, but certainly NOT least, a very special note of thanks to all of the incredibly wonderful veterinary professionals over the years who were so generous with their time, compassion, great candor, knowledge, humor, flexibility and love.  Lucy had an arsenal of experts throughout the Ethos network (and also in her earlier years with retired Drs. Schless and Marino)...her oncologist (thank you, Dr. Kaye, for your steadfast support and open-mindedness), cardiologist (thank you, Dr. Laste, for your guidance and patience), internist (thank you, Dr. Phillips, for making us feel like Lucy was your only patient and your ability to quickly get to the bottom of things), neurologist (thank you, Dr. Silver, for your sound judgement and calm assurance), ophthalmologist (thank you, Dr. Halse, for your kindness and genuine interest in Lucy's comfort), primary care (thank you, Dr. Bennett, for always pointing us in the right direction...without you, we wouldn't have built such a strong team for Lucy over the years) and surgeons.  As for the latter, we are forever grateful and indebted to one emergency surgeon in particular, who gave us the most invaluable gift on April 28, 2021...more time with our girl.  Thank you, Dr. Cames, for being you - both professionally and personally.  We imagine our Lucy and your Layla up in Heaven together being the bestest boxer buds. xo