Seven years ago, Gracie came into my life and completely changed it. Her story broke my heart. She was found by the incredible China-based rescue Slaughterhouse Survivors in a freezing, filthy shed, having just given birth to newborn puppies. She was completely shut down. She'd given up. We'll never know everything she went through before her rescue, but whatever it was, it left deep scars. We didn't know if she would ever smile again.

When she first came home, the world felt big and overwhelming to her. She would freeze on walks, shake when we heard loud noises, cower if I moved too fast, and refuse to go out in the dark. It took a long time for her to feel safe, and even after seven years, it's an ongoing journey.

But with time, patience, consistency and love, she slowly began to trust again... and her smile started coming back!

Then she found the ocean, and that's where she fully came alive. The water truly healed her, and just like her mama, it became her happy place. It was the most beautiful thing to witness!

In honour of Gracie?s story and her healing journey, I created this design to reflect everything she?s been through and how far she?s come. A testament to her strength, her resilience, and what a second chance can look like. It also carries that same love and healing forward, helping other rescue dogs who are still waiting.

Because it doesn?t happen all at once.

It comes in waves.

*a portion of every purchase goes back to the rescue that found her at her worst and gave her a second chance, and continues to do the same for so many other animals.