It all started on a dark and stormy day. The house shuddered around me as lighting crackled through the night sky. There was a noise at the door. “thud.” Quiet at first, but then it grew louder. “THUD.” And more persistent. “THUD, THUD, THUD!” 
“No one’s home!” I yelled, as I threw a blanket over my head. One final “THUD!” and the door flew open with a CRASH! Shaking with fear, I peeked out from under my blanket. “No one’s here!” I squeaked at the dark creature looming in my doorway. The wind blew the creature’s long black hair this way and that.
I covered my eyes and tried to remain perfectly still. I could hear the heavy footsteps approaching me… stomp, stomp, stomp… until it stopped… right in front of me. 
Nss, nss, nss… I felt it’s nose exploring my blanket, sniffing me out. I’d been found! I threw off the blanket and jumped up on the couch. “Don’t eat me!!”
A large black dog with a white face looked up at me smiling… “Arf?”

JUST KIDDING!

I found Gracie just the way the story says! I was shopping for groceries with my mother, Nancy, and as I was putting groceries in the back of the truck, a large dog approached me in the parking lot. She used her nose to poke me in the behind! How rude! I turned around to discover a dancing, friendly dog wanting my attention! I looked for her owner, but no one claimed her. Animal Control was closed for the day, so we called and left messages for them, the local vets, and shelters. She was clearly hungry and tired, so my mother and I took her home with us. It was a small truck, so she had to sit in the front between us. She laid her head on my chest the whole ride home. And that was the beginning of our life together!