About: Me & Gracie – Our Story

About Me: The Creator of Gracie’s-Garden

Hey y’all! I’m Daphne — born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, but don’t let that fool you. I may have a southern drawl, but I’m no farm girl. I don’t own cowboy boots, and the one and only time I got on a horse, I ended up meeting a tree. (We’ll just call that a one-and-done experience!) I’m a t-shirt and flip-flops kind of girl who believes empathy and compassion are my superpowers. I feel things deeply, love hard, and — with the exception of a few people — I’d almost always rather hang out with animals.

I was married to the love of my life, Kevin, for 32 years—nearly 33. He is, and always will be, my husband, my heart, and my home. Together, we built a life centered on love, family, and unwavering devotion. We have one incredible son—my greatest blessing—and a family that means everything to me. My dad lives with us, and I talk to my mom by phone almost every day. We never run out of things to say.

The older I get, the more I crave new adventures—like the time I got to swim with pigs in the Bahamas (yes, it was on my bucket list and yes, it was every bit as wonderful as it sounds). Next up: whale watching.

What I didn’t know, as I was beginning to create Gracie’s-Garden, was that I was being gently prepared for a loss far greater than I could have ever imagined.

I truly believe this space began as a tribute to Gracie… but in ways I couldn’t yet see, she was preparing me. Teaching me. Guiding me through grief before I even knew I would need those lessons so deeply.

Because while I was building this garden in her honor, her Daddy was already on his way home to her.

Losing Kevin while creating this website changed everything. It deepened my understanding of grief in a way no words ever could. This is no longer just a place born from the loss of my beloved dog, Gracie—it is a space shaped by profound love, devastating loss, and the quiet, sacred work of learning how to live with both.

So when I say I walk beside you in this garden… I truly mean it. I am here, walking this path too—learning, grieving, healing—one step at a time, right alongside you.

My Animals:

Now let’s talk animals — because honestly, that’s where I come alive. Over the years, I’ve had dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, chickens, hamsters, fish, even swimming frogs. My home has always been a bit of a mini zoo, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I talk to my pets like they’re people (and yes, we 100% have our own language). My animals comfort me when I’m sad, make me laugh every single day, and fill my home with unconditional love.

And because laughter is part of life in my house — when my dog makes a big potty, we celebrate like it’s the Olympics! I cheer in my best high-pitched voice, “Woo wee, kick your feet!” while waving my arms, and she proudly kicks her feet like she’s won gold. My pets are part of every holiday, every routine, and every bit of joy in my life. I truly believe animals speak — not with words, but with their hearts — and if you listen closely, you’ll hear them too.

My Gracie – My Heart

In 2023, I faced one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life, the loss of my beloved dog, Gracie. To some, she may have been “just a pet,” but to me, she was family: my daughter in every sense of the word, and my son’s little sister. I often called her my “human dog.” Our bond was irreplaceable, rooted in unconditional love. When she passed, the void left behind felt impossible to bear. My heart still aches and yearns for her each and every day.

 Gracie: Our Beginning

Gracie’s story began when she was rescued from the side of a busy road and taken to an animal shelter. That’s where our hearts found each other. She was only six weeks old—a playful, spunky, sassy black lab and border collie mix. She had fuzzy black and white fur, puppy breath and a sparkle in her eyes. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the one, she was perfect in every way.

A Special Soul

Her life, though far too short, was marked by resilience. Gracie endured multiple surgeries, chronic illness, and daily medications, yet she met every day with joy, strength, and love. I often felt she had been entrusted to me for a reason—that God knew I would cherish and care for her as a special soul, and I did. She was spoiled with homemade breakfasts, a luxurious daycare when I was at work, and every ounce of affection I had to give.

The Painful Promise

When her health declined, I made the painful promise to not let her suffer. On her final day, I lay beside her, holding her close as she peacefully left this world. Keeping that promise was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Grief and Isolation

In the days and months that followed, grief consumed me. I quickly learned how isolating pet loss can be—and how misunderstood it often is. Our pets are not “just animals.” They are family. Their absence leaves an ache, a void, an unbearable grief that words cannot fully capture.

Keepsakes and Comfort

I found some comfort in keepsakes—her ashes held in a bracelet, a beautiful piece of art with her photo—gentle reminders that she is still with me in spirit. These keepsakes became something tangible I could hold onto, helping me begin to heal and they are still a big part of my healing process today.

My Purpose

Through that healing, a purpose began to emerge: to honor Gracie’s memory by walking alongside others navigating the same painful path. I created this space as a sanctuary, a tranquil place where grieving pet parents can feel seen, supported, and never alone. Here, we share stories, celebrate the lives of our furry companions, and carry their love forward by walking through Gracie’s-Garden together.

Memories We Carry with Love

Alongside this community, I offer keepsakes—memorial art, wind chimes, personalized stones, cremation jewelry—that help hold memories close. Because I believe grief is not something we “get over,” but something we learn to carry with love.

Their Purpose

They say animals come into our lives when we need them most, and they leave when their work with us is done. Whether or not that’s true, I find peace in believing that Gracie fulfilled her purpose—and now lives free from pain, watching over me still.

A Nudge from Above

Recently, life brought me another blessing: a shelter puppy who looked remarkably like Gracie. By fate, or perhaps by a little nudge from above, she was named Grace. I brought her home and renamed her Lacie Grace. She is her own unique soul, nothing like Gracie, yet she reminds me daily that love never runs out, it simply grows.

The Beauty of Remembrance

This business is my tribute to Gracie. Every keepsake, every word of comfort, and every shared story is a step toward healing—for me, and for every pet parent who finds their way here. Her spirit will forever guide this work, reminding us all that while loss is part of love, so too is the beauty of remembrance.