Her name is Lexi Lou. She's a fifty pound Belgian Malinois who has just turned eight this year. She's been my best friend, comforter, protector, savior, and bane of my existence. All rolled up into one slobbering, furry package. And she saves her own life every day with her ability to provide comic relief in virtually any situation. She's also my inspiration for this blog.
I found Lexi in a puppy store in Milwaukee, WI back in 2002 and the moment I touched her it was like an electrical current ran through me. In that instant, I knew it. She was "the One", even though she wasn't the puppy I'd singled out to hold. The girl's mistake is one I have alternately thanked and cursed her for over the past seven years. My new puppy was so sweet and calm in the store and all the way home.
Of course, then we got home and apparently all bets were off as far as she was concerned. It didn't take long for her to show her true colors and I was still so enamoured of her that I simply refused to admit the truth. We had adopted the dog that had been rejected from Hell. Harsh, I know... but the truth hurts.
Lexi wasn't my first dog ever and I knew that puppy training could be taxing, but I wasn't even close to being prepared for that dog. Puppy Training Step One: Crate Train your lovable new addition. Hmm, hmmm.... Be sure puppy has gone potty before crating for the night. Check. Give puppy love and cuddles before bed. Check. Put brand new $40 "Heartbeat Bear" in with puppy to simulate mother's heartbeat. Check. Make sure sweet puppy has soft and cuddly blanket to snuggle with. Check. Leave puppy alone to cry herself to sleep. Check... hold on... Semi-check.
Puppy was left alone to cry at nine p.m. We went to bed and closed the door, knowing there would be noise for a while. Ten p.m. = scratching, screaming and crying. Eleven p.m. = louder scratching, screaming and crying. Two a.m. = neighbors banging on the door and demanding quiet from darling little puppy. Five a.m. = up for a full day of work and puppy is still scratching, screaming and crying... oh, Lord. Is that diarrhea splattered up the wall?
This was the first two weeks of new life with Lexi. Every night was the same and finally I just couldn't take it anymore and brought her to bed with us. I know, I know... Be the pack leader... Blah, blah, blah. Tell me again when you've gone two weeks with hardly any sleep, a full time job, two small children, and a new puppy. If only I'd known about that Dog Whisperer then!
Obviously, I survived her homecoming and now I can actually look back and laugh. During her first six months of terrorizing my home, she caused absolute and complete havoc. She was a chewer, my girl. She ate my brand new pair of prescription glasses, my work cell phone (complete with battery), and the pair of $80 shoes that I'd bought to stand up in my mother's wedding... before I actually got to wear them! And when I say ate, ladies and gentlemen... I do not mean chewed. I mean digested.
A few years ago, the book Marley and Me came out. Being a dog lover, I had to have it (and have actually purchased about five copies, because I thought everyone else had to have it too!) I laughed through almost the whole thing, because I was reading about my dog. I couldn't believe it! Someone else was having just as rough of a time with their beloved new addition as I was. That book, coupled with my adoration for my dog has inspired me to start this blog. I just can't wait to share stories and information with all of you about one of my greatest passions. Difficult Dogs and the Crazy People Who Love Them.
