Sullivan's Island Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

13 www.SullivansIslandMagazine.com | www.SullivansIslandHomes.com they stop barking. As a retriever, I’m all business when it comes to getting the newspaper for Brian. He opens the door, gives me the command and I trot off to get the white bundle wrapped in clear plastic. Sometimes, for good measure, I’ll bring him the news from all the yards around us. He smiles about this until the neighbors start calling for their papers. CORA COSTE Age : 16. Breed : Half West Highland white terrier, half maltese. Owners : Hal and Karen Coste. They call me “the dog that will not die.” I fear nothing and nobody. Once I saw chickens in a neighbor’s backyard. I couldn’t stop thinking about them, so I snuck out the cat door to go see them again. I was almost to the chicken house when a car hit me. A nice lady picked me up and took me to the pet emergency room. I lost several teeth and the use of my left back leg. Another time, I was at The Dump. It’s called The Dump because people used to put their trash there, but now it’s a beautiful 3-acre open park. A new four-legged guy pranced around The Dump, so I went to introduce myself. He was not friendly. He picked me up in his big jaws, clamped down and threw me around. He damaged about every organ in my 20-pound body, but I lived to tell about it again. GRACE COSTE Age : 18. Breed : West Highland white terrier. Owners : Hal and Karen Coste. Most people call me Gracie. I am in my twilight years and am likely the oldest dog on the island. Even though I hate the taste, I take seven pills every day. The medicine helps combat my fluid-filled lungs, my incontinence, my collapsed trachea and a lot of my other health issues. I walk slowly, I can’t hear and I can barely see. It’s embarrassing, but I even wear a diaper at night. I’ve been told I am the sweetest, most angelic pup who ever lived – the Mother Teresa of dogs. I love all people, but especially children. When I eat, I always act like I’m full before I finish my dish, but I’m really leaving some for Cora, my housemate. She’s been my companion for over 16 years, so I like to leave her a little something to say thank you. [ Feature ] Cora. Photo by Tonya McGue. Gracie. Photo by Tonya McGue.