Meet Lexi, Our Newest Family Member

Say a big HI to our new little puppy, Lexi, an eight-week-old female beagle-terrier-mix.

After waiting almost six months to search for our next puppy, we found her in only three days! We went to Petfinder.com, entered our criteria and, saw a list of available dogs that were within a 90-minute drive. We contacted PALS4PETS in Brockport NY and made arrangements to see the puppies. We quickly decided which one was going to be our little sweetheart. After adopting her we let her show us her personality before deciding on her name. She loves Dusty and he took to her after only one day. He now plays with her and protects her. He looks happier and younger now that he has a companion.

We wanted a small to medium mixed-breed female puppy and we did not want to go to a puppy mill or designer store to buy one. After all, we adopted Amy for free from a nice family in Tampa in 1993 when she was only six weeks old. Nowadays, the adoption or donation fees are more like $180 but they include the shots worming and the cost for shelters to rescue and keep these precious pets alive until they are adopted. They are always looking for donations of pet supplies and office supplies. So, if you have a spare $20, send them a gift card to WalMart, Staples/Office Depot, PetsMart, Petco, or Target. If you knit or crochet, they can use blankets for bedding and warmth. Call or email them for needed supplies and the shipping address. They would really appreciate your efforts. If not to PALS4PETS, then pick a local rescue/shelter to donate to.

*Dusty is a 9-year-old Shepherd-Lab mix who is normally a sweet loving dog, except when he is around other large dogs. He was visibly depressed and older, and acting slower and crying (whining) more than usual since Amy passed away in May. (See earlier posting "Amy's Passing" in the list.

Amy's Passing :-(

For 13 years Amy, my lifetime companion and much-loved dog, has been by my side. She passed away on May 24th. She lived a good life as we spoiled her often & a lot. Her favorite toys were balls of any kind & size, and tug toys. She loved to lay outside, unless she had a big ball to play with. She spent a lot of time evaluating the firmness and sleep-quality of the furniture and her dog beds. The only period of time where she ever did not feel well was the last 5 days of her life.

On the 19th, Amy stopped walking on her own and lost bladder control, and a few days later she stopped eating, then Tuesday night she stopped drinking. We knew then that she was leaving us soon. The morning of her passing we spent outside with her in the sunshine for a few hours and then we went inside and cuddled her and gave her "baby time" for another hour while laying next to her.

We went to the vet arond 2:30p and the vet told us that with her size, age, discomfort, and that she stopped eating and drinking, that Amy was going to pass away soon. The vet also noticed the drooping in her eye and the loss of control in her mouth and said Amy may have had a tumor in her brain. We decided that Amy should not have to live in pain and discomfort just so we could have her longer, so we agreed to euthanize her. We spent an hour in the office cuddling Amy before we called the vet back in. The vet could not get an IV in because Amy's dehydration and low blood pressure had closed up her veins too much, so the vet had to give Amy an injection. As I cradled Amy's head in my hands and Lorrie hugged her, Amy relaxed and passed away. Immediately afterward, the vet said "I am starting the injection now." So, we ended up paying for the reassurance that Amy passed away peacefully with Lorrie and I holding her.

We know Amy will be around us in spirit and maybe even come back to us reincarnated. For now, she is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. We Love You Amy.

See Amy's memorial at http://nightstyles.net/dogs/amy.html

PS- We recommend Greece Animal Clinic on Latta Rd West of Long Pond Rd for vet care. They were excellent, professional, and compassionate. Most of all they were fair and honest about Amy's situation and what they felt would be the best for her, but they let us make the decisions in our own time. You can find the like I did using Yahoo Local in "Rochester NY 14612."