Lexus
GSRNE #453
5/27/2008 – 2/2019
Click for more photos of Lexus
Password: Lexus
I had been trying to write this message for a while but kept breaking down. We had to put Lexie down. I felt a lump near her thyroid, and a biopsy revealed an aggressive sarcoma. We went to various specialists and more tests revealed that her lungs were already filled with many large masses–too many to count. The available treatments had a marginal chance of success and terrible side effects, and would only extend her life by a couple weeks to a couple months. The specialists all recommended not treating her at this stage. She was only 10 years old and too young to leave us.
Lexie was just inseparable from her mom in particular. As she got sicker, she was even more attached. I slept downstairs with her so that she wouldn’t have to exert herself. I gave her pain meds every 4 hours, and helped her get as comfortable as possible though the night. We replaced her beds with flatter ones so that it would be easier for her to breath. Between being groggy all the time form the pain meds and the coughing, we made the ultimate decision. It was so hard because when she got up, she was still able to walk and be completely engaged in life. But she couldn’t breathe well when she laid down. Our house is so empty. Our hearts are broken. She was so unlike any other GSD we’ve had. Lexie, may you rest in peace. We will never know “the things you might have done. Only the good die young.”
Update: 08/25/2016
Lexi (aka Lexus) is doing great! People tell us that she acts like she’s lived here for years. She has so much energy for an 8-year-old dog. She charges up and down all the staircases. And follows us around everywhere with a toy or ball in her mouth.
We’ve slowly switched her food to Wellness. The kibble is a little larger than Taste of the Wild kibble so she actually chews it — woohoo!! Feeding her actually actually takes a while because we give her a small handful at a time. This way she’ll chew most of most of the mouthfuls, then look up for more, then get another handful, until it’s all gone. After eating her food and meds, it’s time for a nap.
Lexus original write up:
Lexus has a collection of tennis balls, and they are kept in a basket in the living room until she picks them out, one at a time, and lies down with them all around her. She has other tennis balls that are supposed to stay outside, but Lexus will try to take one into the house with her when play time is over. She knows the command, “drop it,” though, and will do so just before going through the door. Once inside, she runs to pick up one of her inside tennis balls and is quite proud of herself.
After 7 years with her family, Lexus lost her home due to a divorce and foreclosure. She had to stay in the almost-empty house by herself while her owner was contacting acquaintances and shelters to find somewhere for this girl to go. It was fortunate that GSRNE had a foster home available so Lexus would no longer be alone. She was very happy to be going for daily walks and having play sessions in the fenced yard; mostly she was happy to be with her foster Mom, who is able to be home most of the time.
Lexus is fine when meeting another dog, but she doesn’t want to interact much. She has gotten along well with two friendly Labs who visited her foster home. When one of the dogs picked up a toy, Lexus would watch for the toy to be dropped and then pick it up; but there was no aggression.
A quiet home, with someone there for company, would be ideal for Lexus. She doesn’t mind staying in a gated area when necessary, but she’d rather not be alone for a full work day. She likes to stroll, rather than power walk, and 15-30 minutes would be enough to satisfy her. She loves going for rides in the car and is looking for someone who will enjoy her company as much as she will enjoy theirs.
