Lexinopholis

I read Where the Red Fern grows when I was young and was convinced that I wanted a dog in my life... a friend that would go on adventures with me and keep me company on the lonely nights. Lexi was that friend, and I bid her a very fond farewell as she embarks on her next adventure!

Lexi left this physical world in much the way she participated in life here... with dignity and grace. She died peacefully asleep on Tuesday morning, November 16, 2010 at eight and one-half years of age. She was in the care of a local veterinarian who was trying to help her with her failing liver. I am grateful that Lexi left on her own and did not need help. I have no regrets nor do I feel Lexi does... we are both peacefully missing each other.

We did get one last amazing day... which I have re-named Lexi Day... this year it fell on Sunday November 14th. As we attempted to wheel Lexi to the beach in a wagon, she jumped out of the wagon and walked with her head held high under the freeway to the sand, an amazing show of strength and pride which only fortified her greatness. We played in the sand, and Lexi followed me into the surf... we all had great fun in the company of good friends. The sun set that night to dolphins playing in the waves... and Lexi was the guest of honor!

Lexi DID, she left nothing on the beach, grass or trail... she had a lust for life that will serve as a model for how I will continue living my life.

Lexi's body is now laid to rest on a beautiful mesa in Carpinteria, overlooking the Brown's Cherimoya Ranch and the Carpinteria Valley, just at the foot of the rainbow bridge to Santa Cruz Island. Lexi's spirit is in everyone she met and every place she visited... I will always have very fond memories of my time spent with her here on Spaceship Earth.

Amidst the fog
no birthday song
Came to the creek
and stopped to eat
First day without a dog

800 miles of goofy smiles
in cold and warm and HOT
with head held high you did not cry
when difficult to trot

You kept a guard
at camp each night
birds to ascending flight
And bumble bees had met their match
when challenged to a fight

So rest your paws
a better cause
will sleeping be to you
My trusted friend
we'll meet again
and a walkin' we will do

Run like the wind and don't look back puppers... I'm gonna miss you!

G in SpAcE

Lexi update

In the spirit of Lexi, she is giving this 110% and taking on another round in the fight. The more level headed veterinarian who doesn't charge a fortune thinks she may have just gotten into something nasty, or drank or ate something that didn't agree with her.

Fluids on board for the next few days.

Thanks for all the good vibes, it's making a huge difference!

G in SpAcE

Lexi los Peros

A year has gone by since I last sat in front of this screen thinking of what to write. This time, I write just to give my mind something to do.

Lexi, Safety Patrol, is lying in a cage in an emergency room in Santa Barbara... she hasn't been able to stomach food for over 4 days. Her eyes are the saddest dark moons I have ever seen, she is uncomfortable and I don't know what to do for her. I am sad.

Helpless and human... stuck in an ethical debate between the strength to hold on, and the strength to let go. Lexi is a great friend. I'm certain she made more friends than I did on the trail. She is a lover of beaches, watering holes, and adventure. She is a true companion... the best.

She has driven across this country 3 times, been sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, surfing, swimming in rivers, lakes, and oceans. She once went rock-climbing to soak with us in a hot tub on the Colorado River. She went to college for two years, lived with Pete and I... survived an encounter with a car bumper when she was a puppy, and been on more private beaches than David Hasselhoff. She braved a trip to Mexico in a van with the three amigos. Got to live at Casa Kababik as guest of honor, and has eaten some of the tastiest fair man has seen.

She has always kept me true and active, and I hope she has enjoyed each and every moment of her life so far.

The hardest part is putting a price tag on a life, but tomorrow will be as long as I can keep her hospitalized and it just kills me to think of how sad she is in that cage. Against the judgment of the doctors, I'm taking her home so we can go to the beach.

Put the good vibes out for Lexi... and hope this story has a happy ending!

G in SpAcE