Alex was my best friend, my angel, my love.  He was my whole world.  He was born on July 1, 2003 in a litter of 13.  At 8 weeks of age he went to Assistance Service Dog Educational Center to begin his training, and graduated on May 13, 2005 after learning 90 commands.  He came to live with me on April 1, 2005 and started his work as a Therapy Dog.  He began his career in Child Welfare Services where he offered comfort to children who were detained.  He listened as they expressed their pain when they couldn’t confide in adults, and helped children learn to read after demonstrating his own reading skills.  He also provided love and comfort to stressed staff who welcomed him into their work environment.  Seniors were Alex’s passion and we visited assisted livings every Saturday morning for 10 years.  He greeted each person, and intuitively spent a longer time with those who were feeling down.  They waited all week for him, and would often be outside waiting for us to arrive.  He also visited people who were on hospice care and helped them as they transitioned from this world to the next.  We had to stop the visits when he was 12 years of age, but he continued to socialize with neighbors and friends in the park. He diligently took  care of his cat during Zappa’s last two months of life.  Alex was the mascot for the Jail and Prison Ministries and participated in walks to end child abuse. He had a birthday party every year where seniors and CWS staff celebrated his special day! His gentle spirit clearly reflected God’s love. Some of my favorite memories are of him and his friends playing ball and running in synchrony.  He had a girlfriend named Maggie and two best friend named Cash and Cody.  His other close friends included Buddy, Zeus, Casey and Harley.  He especially loved Audrey, his walker and house sitter, as well Darcie who used a week of her vacation time to take care of him when I had to go out of state for my uncle’s funeral.   He had so many human friends he loved that I cannot mention them all, but they know who they are! Alex and I are thankful to everyone who came to visit him in his last few months/days/hours.  Your thoughtfulness is appreciated beyond words.   After outliving all of his siblings by several years, he had to leave me on January 26, 2018.  My world is so empty without him.  I hope he still thinks of me and that I was worthy of him. He truly was an angel sent from God to bring joy to a dark world. 

I’m missing you every day, My Love, and want to remind you of how much I love you.  I can’t wait to see you again!