miss you already.

we put our family dog to sleep today. only anyone that knows our family and has met lexi understands how devastating losing her is.

i will never EVER forget being 12 years old and singling her out from all of the other precious puppies, knowing that she was ours. since then she has been a part of every major holiday, big family (our colorado family that is) get togethers, almost all of my late-night cry sessions, and uncountable cuddle fests. i used to have conversations with lexi, because i still believe that sometimes she was the only one that could understand. yes, it's kind of strange, but anyone that has a pet that seems to be almost human will get it.

i was so thankful that i was able to be home to say goodbye to her. i cried as i talked to her and loved on her, i gave her as many treats as she wanted, and then i told her how much i loved her. we took a nap together and she snuggled up close to me, almost like she knew she was going away soon. i think animals just have a sense for these kinds of things.

it truly feels as if a member of our family is gone. how devastating. and yet, more than devastating it's just made me realize how thankful i am that she has been a part of our family for ten years. lexi blessed me and my family so immensely. no other pet will ever replace her. she has given me so many wonderful memories and was always such a true and loyal companion. if any dog deserves to go to heaven, it's lexi.

so yes, i believe there are pets in heaven. and it's filled with infinite tennis balls for lexi to chase and slippers and stuffed animals for her to chew.

you can never replace your childhood pet/companion. everyone can relate to that. so while some may think i'm crazy for how much i love my pets, i am thankful. thankful for her, and how much she has blessed me and my family.

so we're missing you already lexi. and say hi to gram for me.