Dancing with Destiny: The creation of Precious Paws

The turn of the century was quite an event for everyone in the world, but to me it was extraordinary: because at the stroke of midnight I had just entered into my fifth year of surviving breast cancer.

As a waitress and student in 1995, I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer one semester shy of graduating from Springfield Technical Community College with a degree in civil engineering. I was devastated to say the least. At 30 years old I was still struggling to find my place in life. I didn't have a great job, unlike most of my friends I had never put on a wedding dress and most importantly of all, I had never held an innocent baby in my arms that I could call my very own. I had so much to do in life still - so my treatment began.

After two operations, six months of chemotherapy, and radiation I returned to school and earned my degree. It was the proudest moment of my life; and looking back on that past year, I felt that if I made it through all of that I could do anything!

I started doing temporary work for Kelly Services and was sent on an assignment to Baystate Medical Center (the same hospital that helped save my life). I was eventually hired by them full time and it was a great feeling to walk into a hospital and actually get paid for it for a change! Little did I know at the time that accepting that job would eventually steer me down the last winding road, on my life journey to find my destiny?

A walk in the park on a beautiful autumn day in October actually changed my life. Really!

The year was now 1998 and I walked in the Rays of Hope (an annual fundraiser for breast cancer sponsored by Baystate Medical Center). I brought along my black lab Paige and tied a pink ribbon around her neck. Everyone loved her as if she was showing her support. That image of Paige stayed with me. She was oh so precious, and so Precious Paws was created…..in my mind. My mind was overflowing with ideas but there just wasn't enough hours in the day - as I was planning something else - my wedding day! And on October 23, 1999 I walked down the isle for the very first time! After a romantic honeymoon in Victoria, British Columbia and San Francisco I was ready to get down to business - and so Precious Paws came alive!

Welcome to my web site! I hope you like my merchandise. If you do, please tell a friend.

Precious Paws: Helping to fight breast cancer - two paw prints at a time!!

Thank you for your support!

Elizabeth Frechette
Beauchamps Midnight Lady
Lady's Title Paige