The Story of Sexy Lexie
It's human nature to root for the underdog. We are touched by the rags to riches stories. The athlete that wins against all odds. The rise from the ashes type of story that gives us all hope. Most of us (if not all) have our struggles in life and were born with dreams. We want to see that happy ending as it gives us hope and joy, a sense that good does happen every day. And it does.
As the story goes, Lexie was a street dog. Part boxer and not sure what else. She ran with her best friend a black lab mix in a small town in North Carolina. She 'belonged" to an older lady that lived on a busy street, but was allowed to run free. She was not taken care of well, by most standards.
So Lexie and her buddy would keep their days full by roaming the streets, playing, and begging for food. Each day they went to a construction work site and workers would share their boxed lunches with the dogs. I was told that one gentleman would pack an extra "sammich" each day so he could give it to the dogs.
Lexie had a scar, a beauty mark really, that ran vertical along her face/jaw line. She had a stick or bone stuck in her mouth and could not swallow or get it out for several day. So a worker took a pocket knife out and cut it out. A kind act to save her life, but awful at the same time.She was thankful and she healed. Then one day, running with her best mate in the road, her best friend and companion was killed in front of her. She was not hurt but did not want to leave her buddy. She was grieving and the construction site workers were worried about her.
Her story got around, she was basically a ward of the streets, no real home, no collar, no vet visits, just a name and a need. She was alone. No one was able to rescue her and I had heard enough so I agreed to foster Lexie. And as many of my readers know, we animal lovers usually have a full house but have hearts that cannot turn away from need.
When Lexie arrive to my house, she was underweight and terrified of people. I imagine she has been hit, yelled out, shooed away, and probably worse. She would not stand in the house. A 70 lb dog crawled on her belly across the floor in complete submission with such loving eyes that said "please don't hurt me". So for the few days that I had her, I would hold her, pet her, tell her "no one will ever hurt you again". I cleaned her up, took her to the vet and mainly just showed her unconditional kindness. And this dog exuded love.
I told the Lexie story to friends of mine and they said "we will take her". I had so many dogs already and Lexie needed more to come out of her shell to trust people again. So like many foster parents, my friends came down (drove from out of state) to see her and fell in love instantly. I knew they had the love, time, patience and room for her in their pack. I am filled with happiness each time an animal is adopted into a loving home, yet I always cry to see them go because I fall in love almost instantly with those pure hearts. I wouldn't change that for the world. I see myself as fortunate, to see the beauty of our world and what animals give us, teach us,
We learn with each day to be patient, kind, active, mature, responsible, calm yet assertive (props to Cesar Milan). And they give us unconditional love. They look up to us. They depend on us. As the saying goes..."God, let me be the person my dog thinks I am". Amen to that. So Lexie taught me that even when your home is full, you can do more. You always have more love to give and being type A person, she had a calming affect on me. She needed for me to be soft, slow and kind at all times. Her soulful eyes said it all and that's what made her beautiful. Everyone that knew her felt something, like an "old soul presence" within this shy, quiet dog. I can see that. I choose it. I want it. I want that connection with life and love.
Sexy Lexie was approximately 1-2 years of age when she left my home to be with her new family (I only had her a short time). She had just the BEST life and I wish I could tell you all about it. It was grand. They worked with her, gained her trust. Showed love, patience, dedication and she was a part of the dog pack. Her role was the sweet mama dog. She never was bad, mean or acted up - even though she had been through so much (I am sure much more than we will ever know). She continued to love humans unconditionally and teach us more about ourselves.
Her foster/adoptive parents gave her an amazing home, proper care, food, shelter and frankly spoiled her for 8 glorious years. She had the best playmates, yard, love, bedding, warm home to sleep at nights, and peace. She could relax. Her needs were taken care of by thoughtful, loving women who continued to rescue more dogs, while Lexie took them in as her younger siblings. She was an easy dog to love.
Today we say goodbye to Lexie. She passed away in her sleep unexpectedly early this morning. I saw a picture of her last night on Facebook and felt oddly drawn to it. Maybe an energy connection. Her family is grieving but I know she is running free with her lab best friend, smiling, happy and safe. I wanted to tell her story because this is why we do it. Why we help those in need. It makes us better people. I thank each and every dog that comes into my life because I learn from them. They give me so much more than I give them. I am filled with gratitude. And awe because they are such loving, trusting creatures that provide us joy, companionship, and a sense of pride. We are worthy.
Lexie found where she belonged and lived a fulfilling life. My heart goes out to her family because I know it can be like losing a child. The rescue and foster network is a tight bonded one. We always seek to help and do the best for the animals. We all stay in touch. Share pictures and stories, and new animals in need. I was once asked "why are dog activists so active, so involved, so powerful in their message" and I think it is because it is easy to make a difference. and we cannot bear to see an innocent being suffer. All you need is love to take in a dog and give it a great life and you will get back so much more. We can see the difference one dog makes and how it can touch the lives of so many people, like Lexie.
And as a collective group, we do grieve together. Everyone that she came in contact with, loved her. Family, friends, dog sitters, and workers. We all feel something when they pass. We share their stories and their pictures. We miss them and our thankful for our time together. We heal with each day, brush ourselves off and do it all over again because there is so much need and our hearts are compelled to act.
RIP Lexie. You were an amazing dog and will be missed. It was my honor to be your human for a short time and I hope I can be the same level of "person" you were every day. Much respect.
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