WILMINGTON — Lacy Gilmore, known by many affectionately potato-themed nicknames, peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday, November 18.
Lacy and Hannah were matched together in March of 2022 by the ever-thoughtful team at Carolina Poodle Rescue (CPR). It was love at first sight when the CPR caregiver walked the 7.5-year-old, 42-pound, big-boned French bulldog into the yard to meet Hannah. Lacy gently bowed her head into Hannah’s lap while the adoption team counseled that Lacy should only be treated with low-calorie frozen green beans and may need a custom-made harness to fit her generous shape.
When Lacy first arrived at her new home, Hannah’s friends and family wondered if Lacy was anything more than a decorative house hippo. She was a quiet, calm girl, a retired mother who was soaking in the luxury of having been adopted as an only dog by a childless millennial with a remote job and disposable income. She spent most of her days quietly snoring on one of her 7 beds in the 800-square foot apartment. She woke only to receive her meals and daily facial, complete with wrinkle-cleansing and nose butter.
In time, Lacy revealed her stubborn, playful, and emotionally-manipulative personality. She enjoyed painfully slow walks in one direction, then required Hannah to carry her back home not because she couldn’t walk any further, but because she hated to turn around. Daily, she surveyed her toys, tossing them about the floor just long enough to get Hannah’s attention, at which point she’d stop and demand a belly rub or treat. She hated to be left alone and escaped every crate in pursuit of napping in Hannah’s closet. For a brief time, she dabbled in home renovation, including redesigning the moulding and exploring what was hiding behind drywall. She forever refused frozen green beans but still managed to drop a healthy 10 pounds, just enough to fit into most commercial XL dog apparel.
After receiving a devastating, fast-growing cancer diagnosis in July, Lacy stubbornly renewed her lease on life. With a paycheck’s worth of new supplements, fresh human-grade food, and medication, Lacy’s last few months were some of her most energetic and playful. In August, she received much praise for her cameo in a Netflix documentary. She turned 10 in September, commemorating the occasion with a frozen yogurt cup and her very own pearl necklace. Her last day was spent doing her favorite things – chasing squirrels off-leash and snuggling next to Hannah in her blanket-filled corner of the white couch.
Hannah is forever grateful for the veterinary care of Needham Animal Hospital in Wilmington, NC and Locke A. Taylor Veterinary Hospital in Richmond, VA. The anxiety and heartbreak of caring for Lacy in her senior years was eased by the kindness, patience, attentiveness, and genuine care shown by the veterinary staff at both hospitals.
Lacy has left a large, potato-shaped hole in her family’s hearts, and she will forever be remembered, loved, and cherished.
