Grace began licking Layla’s face and wagging her tail so hard it looked like she would fall over, and Layla was laughing and patting Grace on her face with both hands. Billy and I just stood there, frozen in the moment, watching Grace acting like a puppy in Layla’s arms.

Billy said, “Well, I’ll be damned! She’s never done that before!”

I got down on my knees next to Grace and Layla, and as I petted Grace I could see and feel my daughter in pure, fearless joy loving this dog, who just a few moments before looked like she wanted to take my head off.

Billy said he was sorry as he pulled Grace back from Layla, and as they walked away I could see Grace wagging her tail all the way to the other side of the park.

I looked down at Layla and as Maggie was cleaning the dog slobber off Layla’s face, she said, “Wow, what a happy dog!”

Stunned, I just said, “Her name is Grace.”