Discussions »Grief

Goodbye dear Lex

Nina on Grief - Sat, February 06 2010

Yesterday I regretfully had to say good bye to the best friend I ever had. My 8 year old Pit Bull, Lex, had struggled with epilepsy since October. We were not able to regulate the seizures with the heavy drugs, even though they made him miserable and even paralyzed at times! Thursday night his seizures spiraled out of control and he sustained brain damage. Early Friday morning we were forced to have him put to sleep.
Lex was not just an amazing dog to me and my family…he touched more lives than we will ever know. He was the first Pit Bull certified by the International Police Work Dog Association in Search and rescue. In his service of SAR, he helped many families find the closure they were seeking in the missing person cases of their family members. He also was very active in showing himself throughout the community to dispel the myth that Pit Bulls could not be service dogs, too!
He and I completed obedience training to the advanced level, he attained his Canine Good Citizen certificate from the AKC and also had a score of 90 on the American Temperament Test Society screening.
Lex changed my life the most. Because of Lex I was compelled to get involved on behalf of the breed. As a founding board member of Indy Pit Crew, I can honestly say that I would never have been so involved had it not been for Lex and the special bond we had. My involvement with IPC and Search and Rescue work got me very involved with breed rescue and training. Both of these endeavors got me involved in animal behavior assessments…and thus completes the circle of how Lex’s legacy will live on in me and my service to my community to better the lives of the pets and the people who love them!

Please take a moment to watch this video tribute to the life of Lex…
http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t311/lexgaither/Lex%20SAR/?action=view¤t=lex-slide-show.flv

Dolly on Feb 06 at 08:14 PM

Nina,

We are so sorry for your loss of Lex. You let Mom and Dad watch Coal play with Cash a couple of weeks ago and after that Mom caught Dad looking at Pit Bulls on Petfinder. Lex will continue to change the world through the way he changed you and his legacy will live on. You have our most heartfelt sympathies.

Ojo on Feb 06 at 09:07 PM

we're sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Lex. The tribute you posted was so touching... he taught you so much and in doing so, you both taught many more.

Stephanie on Feb 06 at 09:57 PM

what an amazing legacy he has left, I am so sorry for your loss.

Humane Society of Indianapolis on Feb 07 at 10:01 AM

Nina, our hearts are with you and your family - we know how much Lex meant to you and many others, and we appreciate the care, fun and love you gave him.

HOPPS on Feb 07 at 03:39 PM

We are saying puppy prayers for you and your family here, Nina. Lex needs no prayers as he has more than earned his special place in heaven. What a beautiful and enduring legacy he has left us. I am amazed every day how much humans can actually learn from us dogs and Lex taught them more than any dog ever has!

Jaden on Feb 07 at 03:48 PM

I am very sorry for the loss of your furever friend. My mom and I will keep you in our prayers as you go through this healing process!

Sandy on Feb 07 at 04:02 PM

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend.

Debbie on Feb 07 at 06:07 PM

I'm sooo sorry to hear about your loss of Lex :( I totally understand what you're going though. God bless you all.

Kris on Feb 08 at 08:54 AM

Nina,thank you so much for sharing about Lex. I watched that video and it was really special. I'm so glad that you and Lex were able to dispel some of the stigma about pit bulls. He was a remarkable dog and you're a remarkable woman. ((Hugs)) to you.

Nichole on Feb 08 at 07:31 PM

Nina,

Although I only got to meet Lex once, I know how special he was. He had a wonderful life with you and Adam and will live on in the hearts of all of the Indy PIt Crew volunteers. All pit bull lovers in Indianapolis understand that Indy Pit Crew has played a pivotal role in keeping BSL and BDL out of our city.

Thank you for all you do, and my prayers are with you.

Nina on Feb 09 at 08:57 AM

Thank you all for your kind words and warm thoughts.
Lex has left a bigger hole in our lives than we ever expected so these days are rough but hopefully will get easier.
Again, thank you all!

Stacy on Feb 09 at 09:47 AM

I am so sorry for your loss. Lex was a beautiful boy. I love the tribute you posted. The song is awesome!

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