Sweet baby Grace

Four year old Grace in her happy place on the trails of Daniels Park.

Grace is a 4-year-old English Labrador retriever with a sunny personality just as bright as her yellow coat. She has a big heart, adventurous spirit and is the baby of Kelly Duman, Trent Schield and their blended family of boys Vann (23), Brayden (21), Levi (18), Preston (18) and Colton (16).

In 2020, Brayden wanted a puppy and happened to find one at Perfect Pets in Centennial. At first, Kelly was hesitant to buy from a pet store but quickly learned Grace came from a legitimate and respected breeder in Nebraska with papers and full lineage. Grace’s calm soul and teddy bear appearance made it difficult to say no; so, at 3 months old, Grace found her new home with the family in the Tapadero neighborhood.

“She is Trent’s little girl. I joke that I have been replaced,” said Kelly. Grace rides with Trent everywhere and enjoys family dinner out at Tokyo Joe’s and Sushi & Bowls, where she indulges in chicken and rice. Grace eats Sunday bacon from Miyo Cafe and is the number one fan of Ziggi’s Coffee pup cups.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Labs are a popular breed for families as they are easy to train and eager to please. They are ranked high for companionship, friendliness, loyalty and gentle temperament. The AKC does not distinguish between English and American Labrador retrievers, although English labs have blockier heads and tend to have a more calm demeanor. English labs are sometimes referred to as “light-switch” dogs as they can easily switch between high energy activity and calm relaxation, while American Labs are known to have more consistent high energy and are bred for retrieving and hunting.

Last year, Grace was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient hormones. Addison’s is not curable, but it is highly manageable with lifelong medication, allowing pets to live a normal life.

“Grace has shown incredible resilience since her diagnosis,” said Kelly. Once a month, Grace visits her vet in Castle Rock for her injections. Showing the true princess that she is, Grace prefers the waiting room sofa for treatment versus the patient room.

Addison’s has not slowed Grace down one bit. Her favorite past time is hiking Daniels Park Trail up to the pickleball courts at Coyote Ridge Park. She can fetch but will only retrieve large, inflatable balls. Grace especially loves chasing bunnies and slowing down to watch deer.