A user named Patricia Russell shared a photo on Facebook’s Dogspotting Society group, showing her 1-year-old chihuahua named Leondias or Piddle sitting in the washing machine. The pup was nervously perched on a pile of clothes and seemed distraught. It turns out that Piddle’s dog sister and comfort dog, Gracy, was recently euthanized, which devastated him and his owners. Although Piddle was only left alone for two hours, he didn’t seem to enjoy the experience as it was his first time without Gracy. Unfortunately, he took refuge inside the washing machine during this time.
Prior to Gracy’s departure, Russell and her husband welcomed Piddle into their home after losing their beloved dog Stella at the age of 15. In hopes of giving her husband a new companion, Russell decided to surprise him with Piddle. However, the plan backfired as Piddle became overly attached to Russell. Despite already having a rescue dog named Gracy, who was nine years old at the time, Piddle quickly grew fond of her. Initially, Gracy was uninterested in the new addition to the family but eventually warmed up to him. Piddle would often be found sleeping next to Gracy and cleaning her ears. According to Russell, Gracy was a kind and patient dog who loved everyone and got excited about the possibility of receiving pets. Whenever someone sat down, Gracy would immediately come over for some affection.
On February 28th, the owner of Gracy noticed that she wasn’t consuming all her food. At first, the veterinarian believed it was an infection, but after conducting X-rays, they discovered that Gracy had cancer that had spread throughout her body. According to the National Cancer Institute, about six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year, and the American Veterinary Medical Association states that half of all dogs over the age of ten will face the disease. While there is not much pet owners can do to prevent cancer in their furry friends, early detection is crucial. Symptoms to look out for include difficulty eating or breathing, swelling, changes in weight, and wounds that take a long time to heal. Unfortunately, Gracy did not exhibit any prior symptoms, and her health quickly declined over the following two days, resulting in her passing on March 2nd. Throughout her brief illness, Piddle, Gracy’s companion, remained by her side, even barking at the vets when they got too close. As expected, he was devastated to lose his older sister and has struggled since to be alone. The owner shared that Piddle was never truly alone before Gracy’s demise. One day, the owner went to soccer practice with the kids and left Piddle alone for two hours. When they came back, Piddle was hiding inside the washer. The owner believes that Piddle went into the washer because it smelled like them and also because it was little and covered. This situation broke the owner’s heart.
The story revolves around Russell’s efforts to take good care of Piddle, whom he found in the washing machine. Russell has been going above and beyond to ensure Piddle feels safe and comfortable, including leaving music on when he’s alone and building him a cozy shelter with heating pad, toys, and favorite blanket. To keep an eye on Piddle, Russell’s wife also installed a pet cam. Although they try to take Piddle with them wherever possible, Russell believes they have found effective ways for Piddle to cope. Furthermore, Russell’s husband has been approved for his first service dog, a 1-year-old yellow Labrador named Jesse, who is training with his service dog currently due to his severe post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury from serving in the military. By the end of the month, Jesse will be welcomed home.
Russell is optimistic that Piddle will develop a strong connection with his new sibling, but he continues to actively seek out Gracy. According to Russell, Piddle is adapting reasonably well to his new surroundings, although he constantly craves our company. Moreover, Piddle still yearns for Gracy, especially when he spots squirrels and desires her to accompany him in the chase.
