Thinking about my doggie, Lexie. She was my dog from the moment I saw her, a beautiful German Shepherd. My heart was aching for a dog, after the loss of my beloved Jo. On a whim I called a number advertising puppies for sale. I was merely going to go look, as I did not have the cash right then to buy a dog. Turned out that I knew the people selling the puppies. So I went there. They escorted me out to their back yard, Lexie ran straight to me, and jumped into my arms. Out of all the puppies she would not leave me alone. I knew she was my dog.
I told them I did not have the cash to buy her at that moment, but I definitely wanted her. As I turned to leave she was placed in my arms and I was told, don't worry about the money. I, of course, did return and pay for her, it was the right thing to do.
I had a large dog carrier I placed Lexie in, I then proceeded to the store to buy a bag of dog food. Not one peep from her on our trip home. I talked to her and said, "What shall I name you? How about Lexie." She wagged her tail as if to say, "Lexie is my name."
She pulled all the usual shenanigans a dog pulls. One day I had just baked a chicken. I placed it on the table and left the room. When I returned the chicken was gone. She had eaten the whole thing. I scolded her and she gave me the sheepish, I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist look. How could I remain upset about it, it was only a chicken.
She would try to squeeze her body under my bureau so she could sleep near me. But at 5 months her body was too big to fit under that bureau so she was satisfied to sleep nearby, as close as she could.
She was the best dog in the entire universe. I used to say to her, "Lexie is the best doggie girl."
I got very sick and needed surgery. When I came home to recover she lay near my bed. She only left to eat and go to the bathroom, then she would come right back, and lay down near me.
Last year she got sick. The vet said she had vestibular disease, a tendency to get infected ears. We began our trips to the vet regularly to monitor her ears and make sure infections did not develop. She began to lose weight, and was not able to walk as well anymore. Sometimes she fell. I knew I was putting off the inevitable. The last visit to the vet I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I had to say goodbye to my girl. The vet left us alone for awhile. I lay down next to my Lexie and put my arms around her, and held her close to my heart. I told her she had been the best dog I had ever had, she truly was my best doggie girl. The tears filled my eyes and ran over. I held my girl when she drew her last breath.
Even though the pain is hard to bear, I would never trade the time I had with my Lexie girl. I had 14 years of looking into her soft brown trusting eyes, and they were the best 14 years in my life.
