My little princess Chow-mix Lexi. My, how she has blossomed since we adopted her from the Antioch Animals Services Shelter in late October 2014!
Our
Chow-mix Lexi lead a horrific life before we adopted her. She was one of 7 dogs seized by Antioch, California police in August 2014 due to severe abuse and neglect in a backyard puppy mill. Lexi was the only dog to survive. She remained at the shelter for 3 months while legal proceedings related to the seizure, abuse, and neglect made their way through the courts. During that time she gave birth to a litter of puppies; sadly none survived. We adopted Lexi as soon as she became available.
At adoption in late 2014, Lexi was very skinny, thin furred, and very frightened. So frightened she held her tail between her legs and shook. As my husband Jim says, Lexi was scared of everything including her shadow. She clearly had never been walked in a neighborhood setting, each walk was a wonderful new experience as she soaked in all the sights and smells. Poor Lexi was terrified of men, sticks (and anything resembling a stick), garden hoses, unfamiliar approaching dogs, and people who attempted to pet her on the top of her head. Lexi was never fear aggressive, she just wanted to flee when frightened. Lexi would only walk up 2 steps; I had to carry her upstairs at bedtime. Poor soul didn't even know how to get into the backseat of a car. Didn't know what a toy was, or what to do with one. Her 2 lower canine teeth were fractured from trying to chew her way out of her backyard puppy mill pen; we had them surgically removed. She also had a v-shaped chunk of her tongue torn off, it likely got stuck in her pen while she was trying to chew her way out. Poor Soul.
But with time, love, patience, and positive exposure, Lexi flourished and blossomed into a wonderful, confident, healthy, gorgeous, and simply fabulous dog. We laugh that Lexi now has a set of furry haunches the Kardashian sisters would envy! Our friendly, goofy, wants-to-meet-every-dog
Husky-mix Sid was instrumental in teaching Lexi "how to be a dog" again, what rough house dog play was like, and how to chase squirrels. Sid actually got Lexi to start wrestling/rough housing and playing chase with him by rolling onto his back next to Lexi and whining. Pretty darn incredible, that brought tears to my eyes, Sid trying so hard to help Lexi.
Within 5 days of adoption, Lexi and Sid were bonded as if littermates. Within 2 1/2 to 3 weeks she was playing and wrestling with Sid. And within 2 1/2 to 3 months Lexi came up to husband Jim for pats and scratches; she had been terrified of him before. Lexi is a wonderful Canine Companion with the face and facial expressions that melt your heart. And she is absolutely full of fun mischief, a professional shoe and slipper thieve! Lexi is an excellent watch dog and the alpha of our dog pack.
Here is Lexi at adoption in late October 2014.
And here is Lexi now.
This photo was taken yesterday after our morning walk.
Is that a coat of fur, or what?
And as you can see, Lexi is now one Happy Girl!
Here she is smiling earlier this summer.
Would you ever think these are the same dog?!
We love you so, Lexi. You will never be abused or neglected again, Sweetheart. Good dog!
Mary Rae Fouts