Alexia
(called Lexi) came into my life in early February of 2002. I have to admit that
she was Forrest’s idea, not mine. I had a strange foreboding about getting
her. She was meant to be Forrest’s dog, but chose me as her “master”.
It didn’t take long before she had found a super special place in my
heart. She was loyal, compassionate,
and sensitive. She loved to take
naps with me which we did almost daily. Before
she was 6 months of age, she began to lose hair on her legs and a small amount
on her face. My daughter, who knew
more than we did about dermatomyositis (DM), sent us many related websites and
suggested that we needed to have Lexi checked.
Through a vet doing research on DM, we were referred to a specialist in Columbia,
SC. Through testing over the next year,
we found that Lexi’s esophagus was already affected by DM and that her life
would be shortened by this disease. In
March 20, 2007 we lost Lexi which was devastating for both of us, but especially for
me. It is said that beauty is only skin deep, but to us
Lexi was a true beauty because of her loving soul and huge heart. We learned a
lot from her about unconditional love and devotion. The hole that her passing left in our hearts will never be filled but
the memories she left will help to salve the pain of her loss. She was a special
Sheltie and there will never be another exactly like her. We had 5
wonderful years with her.
Grieve
not for me my beloved Masters, Know that I knew I was loved here in this house!
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Here
in this house......
I never knew the loneliness I
heard in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I slept soundly, assured that when I awoke my world
had not changed.
I never knew hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I would eat.
I did not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I felt the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and was allowed to smell all that could reach my nose.
My fur though ravaged by disease was cared for, and never dirty or matted.
Here in this house...
There was always an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I was talked to and, even if I didn't understand,
I enjoyed the warmth of the words.
I was given a name so that I knew who I was among many.
My name was used in joy, and I loved the sound of it!
Here in this house...
I was never a substitute for anything I was not.
I was never used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I was loved because I was who I was, not someone's idea of who I should
be.
I never suffered for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I was taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If
I did not learn my lessons well, I was not held to blame.
Here in this house...
I trusted arms that held, hands that touched...
Knowing
that, no matter what they did, they did it for the good of me.
When I was ill, I was doctored.
When
scared, I was calmed.
When sad, I was cheered.
No matter what I looked like, I was considered beautiful and thought to be
of value.
I was never cast out because I was too old, too ill, too unruly, or not
cute enough.
My life was a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I learned that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as
dogs.
Here in this house...
I belonged.
I was at home.
The
original author of this poem is unknown but has been changed and adapted
as it reads now by Joy Good. |
Learn about Dermatomyositis
"For
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a
stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for
me, in prison and you came to me . . . . Whatever you did for one of these
least brothers of mine, you did for me."
-- Matthew 25: 35-40
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