Oprah on her dog's passing

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE
Weeks have passed. And the pain has not subsided. Every time I think about it, my heart starts racing and I feel like I just got stabbed in the chest. It's a jolt, still. Gracie's death.

Gracie is the smallest of the golden retrievers photographed with me on O, The Oprah Magazine's January '06 and '07 covers. She had just turned 2 on May 21. I thought we'd grow old together.

She choked to death on a plastic ball she found in the grass (it belonged to Sophie, my 12-year-old cocker spaniel). The goldens were not allowed to play with those clear little balls that light up. I feared they'd chew them, or worse.

The worst happened on May 26. Gracie was out with her dog walker, on a walk I often do myself after their evening meal. On this sunny Saturday, having just returned from a late lunch with friends, I decided to let the caretaker do it—walk all three.

I hugged them all goodbye, leaving a lipstick print on Gracie's furry white forehead, where she loved getting kisses. Twenty minutes later, I got a call: "She's down and isn't breathing."

I ran barefoot out of the house and found the dog walker and one of my security guys pumping her chest. Just as I reached them, the security guy looked up and said, "I'm sorry, ma'am. We tried everything. I'm sorry. She's gone."

Gone??!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Yes, I saw it. I saw the caretaker rocking back and forth on the ground, his arms wrapped around himself, crying hysterically. My brain took in the whole scene, but it wasn't tracking properly. The first thing I remember saying is, "It's okay. It'll be okay. Tell me what happened." Through his sobs I heard: "…choked on a ball."

And I knew, this was real. Gracie is gone, Gracie is gone, Gracie is gone kept repeating in my head.

I stood there dazed, stunned, crying—and watched as they placed her in the back of a golf cart, her still-warm body with the lipstick stain on her fur.

But even in my stunned state, I knew this was not what it appeared to be: a freak accident with a clear plastic ball that lit up inside. I don't believe in accidents. I know for sure that everything in life happens to help us live.

So through my tears and stabbing pain and disbelief and wonder and questions about how and why this happened, I leaned over my sweet and wild and curious and mind-of-her-own Gracie, and asked, "Dear Gracie, what were you here to teach me that only your death could show me?" And this is the answer: This lovely little runt whom I'd brought home sick—on his first visit with her, the vet told me to return her and get my money back—did more living in two years than most dogs do in 12. She never stopped moving. Was energy in motion. Chasing squirrels, hop-leaping through the pond like a rabbit. Finding anything she could to play with, chew, run with. Dashing, frolicking. Speeding across the lawn as though she were in a rush for life. I was always saying, "Gracie, slow down." She gulped her food. Gulped treats. Would let you hug her for a second, then race off to—where? She was the only dog I was always looking for. Going out on the porch calling, "Graaaacie! Gracie, come!"

The day after she died, I went to the spot where she took her last breath and called again, "Graaaacie! Graaaacie!" I was hoping security wouldn't hear me and think I needed medical—or psychological—attention. Of course I knew this time she wouldn't come running through the brush. Out of the pond. Shaking her wet fur and racing to my arms with a smile. She was always, always smiling.

Not until I knew there'd be no response did I realize how much pleasure I had taken in calling for her. So I called and cried. Called and cried. "Graaaacie!" Tears of sadness for the shocking loss. Tears of joy for the pure happiness she'd given me for nearly two years. I have never seen a being, human or animal, always so full of joy. This dog lived every moment as though it were her last.

Her life was a gift to me. Her death, a greater one.

Ten days before she died, I was getting a yearly physical, and to lower my blood pressure I'd think of Gracie's smiling face.

Just days before the "freak accident," the head of my company came into my office to have a serious talk about "taking some things off your schedule—you're doing too much." Maya Angelou called me to say the same thing. "You're doing too much. Don't make me come to Chicago," she chided. "I want you to slow down."

I'd broken a cardinal rule: The whole month of May I'd had no day off, dashing from one event to the next. But though I appreciated everyone's concern, I still had to finish the season. Wrap up the year's shows. Have foundation meetings. Meet with auditors. Review plans for a new building, and on and on. So many people on my list. I literally forgot to put myself on the list for a follow-up checkup.

When the doctor's office called, I confessed. I hadn't heeded what I know for sure. I said, "Doctor, I'm sorry. I had so many meetings with different people, I forgot to put myself on the list."

The next day, Gracie died.

Slow down, you're moving too fast. I got the message.

Thank you for being my saving Gracie. I now know for sure angels come in all forms.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

WOW Im crying. I couldn' t imagine I don't want to imagine

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

So sad. My parents once had to take one of our cats to an emergency vet at night...when he died suddenly.

My father told me he would never forget this couple came in hysterical...they were at work all day and came home to find their dog had choked and died, on a ball.

So my father would always tell me, he will never forget that and be VERY careful what toys you give them.

And I always am....I always think of my parents seeing that sight and sobbing for themselves and for that couple who both had gone there with the hope to somehow save their pets who had already passed away.

So heartbreaking

Message edited 7/18/2007 12:09:35 AM.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

OMG...that is the saddest thing. I'm sitting her with tears in my eyes and thinking how much I can relate.

And it scares me how she talks about Gracie's zest for life - I'm always saying about Misty that I've never seen a dog who just loves life and doing stuff.

Poor Oprah

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I'm crying!!!

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

so sad

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I'm seriously going to have a breakdown reading all of these posts.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

Oprah is on Rachel Ray and she is talking about her 3 dogs Not the best repeat to show

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

How sad.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I read this early today -- went back to bed with DD -- and proceeded to cry for about an hour, thinking of this and my poor Ebony...

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

That was so sad. I'm sitting here crying (after I just got so mad at Molly for something)

I have to go hug her now!

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

How sad

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

That was so sad...Im crying and hate hate to think of the pain

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I fear the day when my little girl goes...my heart breaks for oprah and her pain.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I'm sitting at my desk - crying.

This is so sad.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I couldn't even read the whole thing cause I am at work crying like an idiot. Poor Oprah

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I'm speechless! That was beautifully written and just totally hit on a nerve!! I'm all fahklempt over here!!

Message edited 7/19/2007 10:46:11 PM.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

How sad

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

I cant even read this.

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

that is terribly sad

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

this is so SAD, i'm so depressed... i immediately thought "go give char a big hug"

Re: Oprah on her dog's passing

OMG!! POOR OPRAH!!!

That is the saddest thing ever!!