I am volunteering to write blogs for a rescue nonprofit and wanted to share my first blog if you don't mind.

My Dog Saved My Life

It might sound like a melodramatic statement to some but it’s the truest statement I have ever made.

I’ve been a dog lover my whole life and when my last dog’s life ended young and abruptly from kidney damage, it devastated me. It took me a while to get another dog.

I knew I wanted to save a dog from a shelter. I went to 2 local shelters and didn’t like their vigorous process to adopt a dog until I went to the Sanctuary at Haysville in Brienigsville.  It was a beautiful shelter with lots of space for the dogs to walk and even a play area for them to run in.

I went inside and saw 3 dogs.  There she was – dog number 3. I knew she would be mine. I loved her instantly.  I took her home that same day. She was loving and playful.  She scared the heck out of my parent’s cats. It took about a week and half before one of them and her became best friends. This cat even lets Lexi put her whole head in her mouth. They never hurt each other.

I knew Lexi was the right girl for me.

I have suffered with depression and anxiety for over a decade. I have been through a ton of different treatment programs. Without a doubt, I can say that my collie/shepherd mix Lexi is my best therapy.

She forces me to move when I don’t want to so she can go for walks, play, get fed.  I take her to the dog park despite my anxiety over something happening between her and another dog – and it never has. She loves it.

In fact, she’s been so good for me and my condition that I’ve decided to sign her up for dog training in order to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which is the gold standard for good behavior and is needed to become a therapy dog.

She has some issues. She gets along with dogs and cats except when she’s on a leash. But other than that, she’s very teachable and trainable. She even tries to trick me into thinking she doesn’t know what I mean when I give her a command. Well I’m on to you little lady!

After her certification, our first stop will be the local mental health wards in hospitals so that she can help patients who are in the shoes that I’ve been in.

Lexi gives me purpose, goals and a reason to get up in the morning.  She inspires me to give back to those who are where I was. And I truly hope she and I can make a difference in the lives of those patients, even if it’s just for a few hours and a few smiles.