Lexi Koch

March 18, 2015 - October 20, 2022

Lexi Girl 💜

I got the pleasure of pick of the litter almost 8 years ago from Paul and Ingrid Schumm… let me rephrase that - you chose me!

I wanted a BIG dog… I had never had a dog, and you were going to be the one that helped me get over my fear of dogs.

You were the RUNT of the litter, and you came waddling over to me with your big floppy ears and your dopey puppy antics. I knew from the moment I snuggled you nose to nose - you were the one that I was gonna love until the end.

In the beginning, I wasn’t your master, so when I took on that roll a couple years in, we had to come to an understanding… I had no idea what I was doing, and you tolerated me well! We’ve come a long way together Lexi Girl xo

With the kids going to their dads every other weekend when you were small, it left you and I together, home alone… I’d like to say we lived it up lol but I’d be lying! Our many home days were spent laying on the coach together, I’d scroll my phone and you’d insist I put the baseball game on tv. Once I put it on you’d cover the remote up so no one could change the channel. You were funny like that!! Many human characteristics you had. But those stand up hugs had to be my favourite!!

You are the keeper of ALL my secrets!! You were my best friend - sometimes my only friend and today I’m losing my best friend and my heart breaks in a million pieces…

When I cried you cried, when I was happy you were excited, when I was scared you were right there beside me. If you thought I was going to get hurt you always stood in-front to protect me. And when anyone raised their voice, excited or other, you always came running my way. When any of us were sick you would climb on top and cover us with your gigantic self. I’m not sure if you were doing some weird healing ritual or just thinking you were keeping us warm - but it worked… always!

I’ve never been this close to anyone who has passed - so this is extremely hard on me, aging sucks and cancer sucks and I’m so sorry you had to go. You were a giant dog with a giant heart!

You loved being lazy, as long as someone was being lazy with you lol You didn’t get a lot of people food, despite your desire for it lol but Caesar salad was your favourite!! These last few days of course, you’ve had ALL the people food as we just can’t say no

As a puppy, you slept in my bed until you were the size of an adult - I realized it was time to move you to your own big bed when my alarm went off one morning and I rolled over and smacked you and asked if you were getting up for work… you used to growl and pout when I said “time to get up”. I tried numerous beds for you but you favoured being snuggled right up to me - either the couch or my bed.

You never loved the idea of going for walks, until I got you down the driveway to the road… then you were like a clumsy deer not knowing which direction to go. I tried to let you lead a few times only to trip over my own feet as you dragged me in a zigzag pattern, then I had to put my foot down lol You learned very quickly what the words “never mind” meant, as you heard it lots when other ill mannered dogs would be out walking - I tried to keep you quiet cause I didn’t wanna scare anyone with your big bark!

You were a real sweetheart Lexi girl. You had your own special bond with each of us - and each was uniquely different.

You were MY protector, always checking on me, coming over for a “good job Lexi” whenever you finished a bowl of food - you were like the needy child that always wanted to hear what a good girl you were being lol and that we did!

When you first came home, you were doted over by a cute, quiet 9 year old boy. Oh boy, did he love you! He would wake up extra early in the morning just to climb in your crate and snuggle up with you for a while before school, and as you grew out of the crate stage, he’d find you in your bed and lay with you until it was time to go. Now that boy grew, and he grew, as did you, and his love for you grew too. I will always remember Carter saying how he was gonna take you to college with him… you didn’t quite make it girl, but I can imagine what that would have been like for the two of you! When Carter was sick, you were “sick” too. You’d climb up on top of him and that’s where you’d be for the day - healing him. You learned the concept of time from Carter too. As he started into sports, we’d leave for hockey and tell you we’d be back in one hour, we’d leave for baseball and tell you we’d be back in two hours. You seemed reassured knowing where we were going and how long we’d be lol One time I lied and told you we were going to hockey so that you’d know we were only going to be “so long” but we ended up being way longer and came home to your bed… shredded! That was the last time I lied to you about where we were going lol

Your big sister Kaylee, she’s more of a cat person, but she loved you in her own way too. She especially loved the quirky things you did. Like the one time she covered you in a fleece blanket at night time and she turned around only for you to be standing behind her draped in the blanket - she giggled and called you <insert Russian accent> “the little Russian lady” lol When Kaylee broke her femur and then her tibia and fibula, you were there for her too. Snuggled up beside/on top of her on the couch or her bed for 8 weeks. You loved her despite her being hesitant to love you “all in” - I mean “ewww there’s dog hair on my bed!!”

Your relationship with Wes was a fun one to watch. He played games with you, got down on the floor, rolled around, played and pretended to be just like you sometimes. The bumble bee game was a favourite. That pesky bee always annoyed you to the point you would growl and playfully snap like an alligator lol You didn’t listen to him ever, at all - I found it amusing. All I had to do was look at you - but Wes tried everything… you had him on a different level.

We turned your world upside down when we told you that you were gonna be a big sister. We tried to prepare you. Did all the things the book told us to, but nothing would prepare any of us for Kinsley lol This one is sad - cause at 1 year old she’s gonna wake up tomorrow and wonder where you are, and the day after that, and the next day too. And how do you explain to a tiny baby that she is never gonna see her best friend anymore. Every little girl wants a pony - this kid was born having one. And despite your anxieties about her, you tolerated her very well too. We had to teach her “gentle” with you and she learned how to “pet nicely”. If you were annoyed or had enough, you always let her know with a soft growl or quiet bark. You didn’t develop the bond with her that you had with everyone else - but I’m certain if you had been given the time, she would have had you wrapped around her little finger too. Kinsley believes she is a puppy just like you. She couldn’t wait for you to get up off your bed so she could climb up and take over, and she would giggle so loud, thinking she kicked you out lol You were always so curious about her and approached with caution - head butting nudges/kisses and pawing at her to play. She’s gonna miss you too Lexi girl.

You always seemed to know just what each of us needed to help us through tough times... and now is your time sweet girl. We are carrying you over the rainbow bridge.

No more pain, no more suffering, only love for you xoxoxo I hope you know and can feel just how much you are loved by all of us. Because I care so much for you, I let you go today - Rest In Peace Lexi 💜

Thank you so much to Dr Erica and Laura at Black Creek Mobile Veterinary Services for all of their compassion throughout this difficult final journey. Lexi had a beautiful final day at home surrounded by family, and was put to rest in the most comforting way.

Lexi is eternally Loved and Missed by:

Michelle, Wes, Carter, Kaylee, Kinsley, and the many extended family members, friends and neighbours who loved the gentle giant we call Lexi