Year 2010 Tributes

For pet names beginning with "X".

"A wish is the magic in our heart that makes beautiful things happen." Unknown

The most beautiful thing to happen was my finding Xander at 3 months old at a local shelter. He came into my life when I needed to rediscover who I was. Technically I rescued him, but he definitely rescued me.

He was one-of-a-kind, a 90 pound Akita-American Staffordshire Terrier mix. An old and gentle soul. He was intelligent, learning new commands and tricks with lightening speed. I could see him contemplating his choices. It was incredible.

He was the first dog I raised from a puppy and our connection was amazing. We could read each others thoughts. I was so lucky to have found him and I like to think he was lucky to have found me.

I miss him with every breath I take. I miss our connectedness. I miss his sweet face, his soft loving eyes. I miss his uniqueness, his spots, his ringing bells to go outside and sunbathe, his frequent case of the "puppy crazies" (zooming around for no reason). I miss him occasionally pouncing around on the bed in the morning and barking - happy to start the day. I miss feeling him come onto the bad at night and flopping down with a huff. I miss him curling his big body into a tight ball. I miss seeing him pull to the end of his tie-out hoping to catch a glimpse of his favorite neighbor, hoping to entice him to come over and per him. I miss his love of my Mom; going to see Grandma was always a happy occasion. I miss playing "Find Me" (our version of hide-and-seek). And, as much as I love my two girl dogs, I miss the time when it was just he and I.

It has only been three weeks and it already feels like a lifetime without him. As much as I am crying and grieving I am fearful of the day when I won't miss him so intensely. I know I will never forget him. That is impossible. But the fear is still there.

My Xander, a.k.a. Boo, Bubba, Doodle, Poodle, Handsome Boy.

My beautiful boy.

My soul dog.

You forever have my love and will live in my heart and memory.

Our sweet Xena Beans, we miss you more each passing day. You are forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Mom, Dad, and Nat