Tag: Lexi

Lexi: End of an Era

Lexi, a German Shepherd, was born on May 7th 2001 and came into my life eight weeks later. From puppyhood all the way to adulthood, she lived to play. Everything was a potential toy to her (including, once and rather embarrasingly, a mobile phone that had been supplied by work) and everyone she encountered was a potential friend.

She had a good life, one characterised by boundless enthusiasm and endless affection and it was quite a blow when we learned – in January – that she was suffering from lung cancer and an inflamed liver. Because of the extent of the disease and her age, the vet didn’t think that attempting to cure her was a realistic option and she had been on palliative treatements ever since.

She was actually responding very well to these, until Friday when she collapsed. We took her to the vet but, it was too late for her and now there’s a huge gap in our lives that she used to occupy.

It’s a sad time and she will be missed by all of us.

An explosive paradox of fur, teeth and enthusiasm

This below image is taken from a much longer strip which I found on The Oatmeal a while ago and I’ve been meaning to mention it ever since because the cartoon as a whole, and this frame in particular, does such a superb job of capturing what it is to own a dog.

It’s a journey that starts with putting down newspapers and picking up poo and progresses through the long walks and companionship of an adult animal in the prime of its life. Inevitably, of course, the journey comes to an end – often painfully – as your companion stoically struggles through a disease from which she will not recover.

But it’s worth it. Because, for all the challenges they bring, there is nothing quite like owning a dog.

theoatmeal-dogs

Now go and read the full strip, then find your dog and make a fuss of it. And if you don’t have a dog, you really are missing out.

Home Again

After a slightly chaotic trip to Marseille, we arrived back at the house late last night and rescued the pets early this morning. At least one person is very glad to be home.

My dog has cancer

Two weeks ago we noticed a nasty-looking growth on Lexi’s underside. We took her into the vet and again the following day so he could operate to remove the tumour. The tumour was sent off for tests and the results came back today.

It’s cancer.

The good news is that it hasn’t extended into any of her organs and it appears that the surgery has removed everything. We are, however, going to have to keep a closer on her for any lumps or bumps.

I don’t really have anything else to say at this point, so here’s a serendipitous reminder from Sinfest of why dogs are so great to have around.

Sinfest 2011-03-16

In the garden

It’s been a while since I last looked at what photos I’ve taken. Today, however, I did find the time to scrape the snaps off my camera and start soring them out. So here are a few from way back in April.