When my mercedes passed on last oct 31, I said I would never get another one..but 9 months to the day (just like having a baby) I got Gracie! She will never replace mercedes...she was one of a kind..but Gracie has filled a void. Mercedes took every step I took and I missed feeling that nose on the back of my ankles all the time and now Gracie does the same thing!! Its really weird..I am glad we got her. She is just a baby. I had Mercedes for 16 years. I have photos of her with my kids still hanging up but all her toys, and my collection of schauzer statues have been put away in the heirloom box.