DarnFar Lexie

Litter that produced Boon		Litter that produced Moxie
Herding at home in Wisconsin		Herding at home in Wisconsin
Herding At Home		AHBA HRD Trial
ASCA Sheep Trial		ASCA Duck Trial

Lexie was Robert’s dog.  Daughter of Sham, sister to Breeze, Lexie had her own way of doing things, and my way wasn’t how she wanted to do it.  I had given up on her as a herding partner when Robert entered my life.  I didn’t think anything would come of it when I gave him the dog and told him to do what he could with her.  She had quit working for me because I didn’t know how to handle her.  I applied methods that had worked with her father, but, she wasn't her father.  Robert knew nothing about training a herding dog.  And, as it turned out, that is exactly what Lexie needed in a handler.  His very unconventional approach helped to rekindle her natural desire to work stock for a person.  Then, after just a few months, Robert attended his first herding trial.  He and Lexie won the started sheep class and earned their first started duck leg.  They beat both my dogs, Breeze and Jaye, who took 2^nd and 3^rd in the same class.  We came home that weekend with six titles on the three dogs and Robert went on to earn an AKC HS, AHBA HRDIs, and HTDIs on Lexie, as his maiden voyage into herding.  Lexie was truly Robert’s dog, and I write this as much for him and my respect for their relationship as I do for myself.

Lexie passed away in her sleep at 14.5 years old.  She had become old, but never lost her zest for life.  She retained her ability to predict the weather – the reason that we called her Barometer-Lexie!   She still took long walks around the yard.  She was still respected by the other dogs as the matriarch.  She was, indeed, a very special dog.

In “dog years” she had earned a place in the centenarian club.  But, in our lifetime, she was gone far too soon.   She gave us Moxie and Boon, and for that we are forever grateful, as they are remarkable companions and just really wonderful dogs in their own rights.  

Dear Lexie,

I cannot seem to get my mind around your passing

One would think it would be simple with a dog of your years

It should not have been a surprise, you were frail and quite old

Yet I struggle to concede to your fate as I hold back my tears

It has been over a week and I have told but one friend

That your passing was peaceful, that you died in your sleep

We placed you to rest under the willow by the pond

Blue skies, green pasture, warm sun,  grazing sheep

As the sun set across the pond

Robert and I stood in a silent embrace

 I quietly whispered "I love you, Lexie"

Robert said, "She is in a better place"