Lexi and the Bucket List

Before I retired in 2013, my wife and I spoke about this chapter of our lives and decided to make a list of goals for retirement.  Goals in early life are good because they keep you focused on a target.  But when you reach end stage and retire you list gets shorter only because there are fewer months to carry them out. You also simplify goals later in life. They transform from things you want to do in the future into some of the things you want to accomplish before you die.  It reminds me of the movie The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman where the two diagnosed with cancer, decide to do the things they always wanted to do.  Earlier in life we had goals like "get in better shape" or "buy a new home." But now our objectives are things like "grow a garden" or "get a really big dog."  As you may realize by now "get a really big dog" was on my wife's bucket list.

Lexi and Mom Madeline

Last June we got a six month old Great Dane puppy named Lexi. Getting her was the only thing we have been able to accomplish in the last seven months, partly due to the fact that she takes all of our time. Between keeping her out of trouble, feeding (Great Danes eat a lot), training and trips to the dog park, our goals list has been put on-hold.  The first eleven months were the worst - well that's life with a puppy, let alone a 120 lb one.  Now at 13 months she is finally nearing young adult phase and the bad puppy habits are receding.

Lexi when we first got her at six months

She's an incredible dog, sweet and mild mannered, willing to please.  Most Danes are like this and their even temperament is why they are such a popular breed.  We take her to the dog park most every day and everybody looks forward to seeing her.  Frequently we hear shouts of joy "Hey it's Lexi," or "Lexi's here."   Meeting Lexi for the first time is an amazing experience.  If you are sitting down, you are face to face with her, she won't lick, but beware of the slime.  Great Danes drool a lot.  Lexi chooses to play with the small dogs.  Our dog park has both large and small dog sections.  But frequently a small dog owner brings one over to play with her.  There's something peaceful about watching a very large breed and a tiny breed get along.  Especially when it's the tiny one bossing around and chasing the big dog. 

Now she's 13 months, passed her first cycle and recovering from spay surgery.  If she becomes the mellow gentle giant we expect of her, we might consider Lexi for service to older people living in retirement homes. 

Lexi redecorating the house

Our 12 year old Belgium Shepherd is innocently staying way back.