A Tribute to our Lacey Girl July 2005 – February 22, 2022 It all started with a trip to the Kingston animal shelter in April of 2006. We went to see this dog that had been rescued by the Kingston animal officer. Our puppy Cooper was hell on paws and needed a friend. We brought Cooper with us, and this was a match made in dog heaven. We rescued Lacey several weeks later in May 2006 and the story starts this wonderful girl’s life with our family. We coined the name Lacey Girl soon after adopting her. Lacey was called a Jack-agle or better known as a Jack A Bee which is a mix of a Jack Russel Terrier and a Beagle. Cooper our puppy love was a typical but very mischievous beagle, and he was testing us on a daily basis Christine said we needed to get him a friend, so we did.

Lacey saved us and Cooper (only kidding) as the two dogs became inseparable. They played, ate, and slept together for 16 years.

Ryan was 16 and Cory was 14 and as they grew, they shared the joy of these two dogs that bonded to our family. The dogs became best buddies with Cory and Ryan. It was a very busy time in our lives with work, kids’ activities (hockey) etc. but Lacey and Cooper were part of our daily family time which made it very special. Their unconditional love was just so amazing.

I thought it would be a great idea to build a dog pen in back to keep them safe. As we know all too well when Beagles catch a scent, they are off in the woods in a heartbeat. I built this robust pen 5 ½ ft tall so no escapes could happen. However that lasted 1 week until we saw Lacey on our back deck after I had put her and Cooper in the pen and he was howling. I was confused and put her back in the pen and then proceeded to see her scale the pen in one leap and Cooper soon followed not as gracefully. They were going to hurt themselves and the pen lasted 1 month.

Lacey loved the outdoors, and she would challenge Cooper to races around the house and the howling would start by Cooper. He never did catch Lacey ever she was so very fast. She always let Cooper know she had the upper hand when it came to running. Lacey loved walks and the excitement of getting her Harness and leash on which lasted for 16 years. We took them everywhere. Lacey loved the boat, hiking and the beach. When we took her to Rexhame beach where she would take off and run like a cougar chasing prey running for a ½ mile down the beach. Then she would look back and wait for us like what’s up guys you are so slow. She loved the freedom and had selective hearing all the time on the beach.

Lacey loved to eat and as she got older and wiser she would sit by the table and wait to lick our dishes. This was something started by Dad and I was a softy when it came to giving small treats to her and Cooper after dinner. Then she would jump in my (really hers) recliner where she and many times Cooper would lie together and fall asleep together.

Lacey loved the boat but also loved getting on the paddleboard with me and going for a ride especially in Hadley Harbor and oh she so enjoyed a ride in the inflatable letting her ears flap in the wind. She was so happy in that inflatable.

As Lacey got older, she became so attached to Christine and become to be known as her shadow. She loved to cuddle with Christine and in her bed with Cooper. Lacey so enjoyed walking and hiking and oh the camper was a favorite. She and Cooper had their own bed and the inseparable love was just everywhere with her and Cooper.

In 2014 Lacey had a large growth occur on her tail that was the size of a softball, and we were told her tail had to come off. This is devastating for a dog because their happiness that occurs is messaged through their tail. Through a dear friend it was suggested to go see this veterinarian in Rhode Island Dr Troop. Dr Troop told us no need to take the entire tail I can do this surgery and remove this growth. Off to Rhode Island and our first of many vet visits started with Lacey with her growths. She recuperated fine but we were told she had cancer and he did not think it was aggressive, so no time frame was ever put to her wellbeing. We were all relieved and cautiously optimistic.

Ryan and Cory had grown, and graduated college and their lives were very busy but when they returned the joy from Lacey and Cooper was beyond joyful. The dogs missed them so much. Christmas was such a special time with the dogs especially watching Lacey and Cooper open their presents. Lacey and Cooper were so very happy when everyone was home and together. A lesson we should learn from these two dogs. Getting up in the morning and coming home was just a joy. They made our lives complete and bonded all of us due to their unconditional love.

Lacey was a very strong dog and she endured much in her last 3 years, but she was always so happy and oh those walks would be such great therapy for her and us. She developed cataracts to the point where she was essentially blind for her last two years, but she never complained. The sun was her enemy as the glare was very bothersome. Christine found these dog sunglasses and I chuckled but oh it was so very helpful on the boat and very bright days. She just loved the inflatable and not to bring her to the boat was not an option, so the dog sunglasses were the cure.

Her hearing was also failing considerably but we always wondered why she could hear the cupboard opening and the dog food being put in her dish. She continued to do her dog happy dance every time she was fed up to the last days.

Then the worst day happened and unexpectedly her best friend Cooper took a turn for the worst during our boating vacation in July 2021. Cooper passed on 7-10-2021. Lacey was so very confused and was pacing the house for days. It was so very hard to watch as she her health started to fail, but her heart was broken, and she was in a depression. This was gut wrenching for all of us and how do you explain to this wonderful dog that her best friend Cooper was gone.

Lacey entered a new life and new norm without Cooper. Again, walks and getting that leash on was so very therapeutic. She started to cling to Christine more and more and she did not want to be left alone. Our Lacey girl was aging and we could see her vigor was fading but she would rebound every time for a walk or short hike.

Then in September and still with such a broken heart from losing Cooper I came across a rescue organization that was getting dogs out of a kill shelter in Kentucky. At first Christine said no and we lost our chance to rescue Leroy. Christine was right, we had our hands full with Lacey. I received a text 2 weeks later that another beagle was available for rescue, and we had 2 days to decide otherwise Chase was going to be euthanized like Leroy. Christine said yes without hesitation and Lacey’s new friend Chase was rescued in September of 2021 within 2 days. Chase filled the void that Cooper left and warmed our broken hearts.

Lacey was always a dog who loved all, no matter human or animal. We came home from New York with Chase who was very sick, but Lacey made things so very right. The two cuddled together the next day in her bed. I firmly believe that Lacey along with much medication help Chase get better over the next several weeks. She had a new buddy, but it was not Cooper.

Then it happened: we were devastated, Lacey took several seizures out of the blue. We knew in our hearts where this was leading. Off to the vet and some medication and Lacey bounced back like a trooper until this past Tuesday February 22, 2022 at 4 AM. The gut-wrenching decision to let Lacey meet Cooper and be in peace was made with very heavy hearts and many tears.

Lacey you are our Lacey Girl and there will be no other. Your love, kindness, and joy were so infectious to all of us especially Cooper. Our tears are still shedding, our hearts are broken, and you will be sorely missed. Our memories of 16 years are all we have but you can be assured you will never be forgotten. We miss you so much, but we know you are now with you best friend Cooper lying side by side. You were an amazing dog, friend that gave 16 years of shear happiness and love to our family. As I am in complete tears now thinking of life without you is so very painful, but I know that you are now in good hands with Cooper.

RIP Lacey – You may not be by our side, but your paw prints are on our hearts forever.

We would like to thank all our family and friends that knew Lacey and took care of her during her time. Please light a candle for her as a memory she would love it.