My dog Roxy went to doggie Heaven yesterday. I had her for 13 years – since she was a tiny fluffy puppy! She was the first dog that was 100% mine and I really really wanted her. I bought her myself around sophomore year of college after asking my mom and boyfriend for a puppy for Christmas. They didn’t deliver and I wished I’d written Santa a letter in the off chance that he still believed in me…. 
Well – I was on a doggie mission and I decided to get a pup for myself. I got her from a family near Long Beach a few weeks after Christmas – all I remember is it was nighttime and I was beyond excited.
She was so good from the very beginning! I think she had one accident inside – but basically house trained herself!
(Around this same time I found kitten sized Vegas – I got them fixed on the same day and that’s another story I’ll tell ya one day.)
I took her to puppy training at the park, where I learned that dog training isn’t about training your dog, nope. Dog training is about teaching you how to lead your dog. It builds a stronger bond between me and Roxy, and with proper training, Roxy increases her sociability. That’s why I am very thankful to MLK9 Services; they did an exceptional job.
When she graduated I needed to share what breed she was for the Puppy Training Certificate. I said she was a “Mixican” because she was a Lab-mix and I’m Mexican. I’m sure the instructor thought I was a complete weirdo. I kinda am… but that’s the awesome part about dogs – they don’t care if you’re weird or smelly or poor or the world’s worst singer or fat or if you have one boob that’s bigger than the other. Dogs love you just how you are.
[Roxy and me as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf]
Thank God for our dogs!
Roxy was a lover. She just wanted love and pets and was amazing to me. I’m very very lucky I got to have her in my life.
She was the only dog we’ve had that liked to go in the pool!
She let me dress her up in funny hats for the holidays and costumes for Halloween.
She would try to act cool but if someone new walked in the room her tail would tap against the floor before she even looked up to see who it was.
She was such a good girl.
Bailey, my brother’s dog, was her best friend. Or… more accurately – he loved her 1000% and she thought he was cool but she secretly thought he was her pet.
Sometimes she’d skip breakfast or dinner and we’d get stressed she wasn’t eating. But the reality was she would wait for the avocados to fall from the trees in the backyard and munch on those. She did it her whole life and I’d joke that her diet of avocados kept her coat thick and shiny!**
I loved her and she loved me.
And yesterday she got to go to Heaven. Lucky dog!
After 13 years her furry body just couldn’t keep going. I decided to put her to sleep with a service that comes to your home. There are several places that do pet euthanasia in your home in Los Angeles and Orange County. I’ll share more on this soon because I’m really glad I did it this way even though it was expensive.
I’m sharing this because I want to tell everyone how awesome she was and show you these pictures. I was going through them yesterday and found so many fun memories of Roxy enjoying life and being silly and photo bombing my food photos! I love it! I want to just remember her and honor her today. I’m so proud of her and thankful for her! And when the time comes to remember them, Pet Legacy offers beautiful cremation urns to honor their unique place in your life.
This is Rox wishing me ‘Good Luck’ before the LA Marathon 2 years ago.
[That time Roxy got busted for eating too many avocados]
[That time I tried to take her away from her fancy yard and boyfriend]
It was really hard to say good-bye to her. Ugh. I full on cried – like real out loud cry. I’m a little surprised how sad it was. I thought I had been preparing myself since I knew she was getting older and slowing down. But it was still so sad.
This is part of the deal when we get a dog or cat – we know they live about 12 to 15 years if we’re lucky. We know we’ll have to say good-bye to them at some point. But it still knocked me down pretty hard.
Tomorrow I’ll start to pick myself up, dust off and keep living my life. It’s okay if I don’t want to move forward just yet – but I do want to at least stand up and be present with the people I love. And I want to be present for you. I have a lot to say about love and loss and if I can help one person feel better I want to share my story and thoughts.
It’s kind of therapeutic to share this sadness right now. I wasn’t able to do that when my marriage ended because I wanted to fight for it and I wasn’t sure if it was really over. It was devastating but it wasn’t clear if I had lost that yet.
Losing Roxy and looking at the death and divorce I’ve had to deal with this past year has taught me a lot.
On the bright side – it reminds me how lucky I am to have had my Grams and Aunt Martha and Ben and Roxy in my life. I definitely thank God for these blessings and all the time I got to spend with them.
And I want to send a ton of love out if you happen to be reading this and processing a loss in your life. You’re going to be okay.
Focus on what you have. Look at all the big and small blessings you have in your life. Tell the people you love (or like a lot?) that you appreciate them. Today!
And to end this post on a happy note – do this today and you’ll feel better and be glad you did it!
Text or call someone you love something nice or funny. Right now.
Ideas to reach out to someone you love (randomly) in case you don’t know where to start:
How’s your day? Thinking about ya and wanted to say hi!
What’s going on over there? Anything fun?
(Send a funny gif) I saw this and thought about you!
Remember that time I … (send them a random fun memory)
Thank you for (dinner / putting up with my shlt / not killing me when I crashed the car in HS /)…
Hey – remember you told me about that ‘run eat repeat’ blog? Well – it’s super random but today there’s a ton doggy pics and I’m supposed to tell you I love you. K. Bye.
Okay. Now um, go for it!
**NOTE: A lot of people have messaged me that avocados are bad for dogs. I think it’s just the seed – but I wouldn’t risk it. Our dogs grew up in a yard with avocados and ate the ones that fell from the trees. We didn’t give them guacamole or anything on purpose.*
So sorry Monica! That dog was so cute, that face.
I’m a (very) long time reader. I’ve never commented before, but I had to chime into tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things a person can experience. It’s a loss of unconditional love, and it hurts like hell. I lost my girl over five years ago, and I still miss her every day. Please be good to yourself in the coming days, weeks and months.
I’m so sorry you lost Roxy, she looked like such a great dog. It’s so hard to lose a pet….I still cry over mine from 20 years ago.
Take care.
Monica my heart breaks for you. I had to put down my beautiful yellow lab Lancelot last
Year he was 15 years old. He was such apart of my husband and mine that I still think of him
Everyday but I to know he’s in a better place. I now have a black lab Bear he is a hand full but
I needed that unconditional love you get from them in uncertain times when their there
With no judgment just Love Godbless you and Roxy.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have been there a few times and now we are dealing with our 12 yr old cat who is slowing down and has kidney disease. It sucks but we are trying to make the most of our time with him.
This was a beautiful tribute to your special girl Roxy. My heart and prayers are with you. May Roxy remain embedded in your heart and memories for the remainder of your life. My heart goes out to you as I know the pain you must be feeling. Sending hugs. XO
I’m so sorry for your loss Monica. Putting my dog down a few years ago is one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through. Thank you for mentioning the in home euthanasia – I think that’s a great option and I was unaware that existed. I like that you have so many sweet pictures with Roxy that you were able to share here – she was a special girl! Love her big bad wolf costume 🙂
Big hugs to you!
I’m so sorry Monica. Pets give us so much love them leave such a big gap in our lives when they are gone.
It’s only a month since I had to say goodbye to my beautiful cat. She was 17 and thanks to a couple of age-related health conditions I knew she wouldn’t have much longer with me. Turns out there’s no amount of preparing yourself that can make it any easier when the time comes.
Roxy was loved and you gave her a wonderful life.
xx
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what it will be like when our Monday goes to heaven. I hope you’re doing well and that you always remember her with a smile like in this last picture. I love her smile!
I’m sorry for your loss, Monica. RIP to Roxy, I’m sure she’ll enjoy her time in doggy heaven. 🙂
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Monica,
I have lost many pets in my life and it never gets any easier. Roxy was so lucky to have you as a mommy and she will forever be in your heart. I hope that her memory will always bring a smile to your face…and heart.
This is such sad news. Most of us know the pain of losing a furry family member. I never will understand why they only get to live such short time here with us. Yes, tears were shed while reading this…. but you did make me laugh when you listed her breed as Mixican. 🙂
She is a beautiful dog. I think you should get a print made of the last picture you showed…..the one of her smiling and her eyes closed, enjoying the sun on her face. You should hang that where you can see it everyday and feel the love she has for you.
Hi Monica, I’m sorry for your loss, our puppies are here on earth for too short a time. Sending thoughts your way from New England
<3 Thank you for sharing, Monica. What a great friend Roxy was!! It sucks and is so hard to lose a furry friend, but gosh, the time together and those memories are so special. Sending you lots of hugs and love. Give Vegas an extra smooch and snuggle.
Sending you love! I know she’s giving you puppy kisses from Heaven! xoxo
We lost our 14 year old sweet pup two months ago. It was one of the hardest, most devastating days we have experienced as a family. We also had a mobile vet service come to our home, and I am SO GLAD we did. Worth every penny. She passed in her own bed surrounded by all of us loving on her. Sending you all the hugs.
Just wanted to reach out and send a virtual hug to you today …and say it’s gonna be okay and maybe bake you something (my momma love language, lol) ❤️ You’ve really inspired me with your honesty and funny adventures- thank you for sharing even when it’s painful and for reminding us to let people (and pets!) know that we love them
I am so sorry, Monica. I loved seeing pictures of Roxy over the years. It’s never easy saying goodbye to our pets.
hey, i love the blog. i am an avid runner myself. there is nothing better then running for 12 miles and having that runners high and most of all just having that scene of accomplishment. again thanks for the blog
ive also been doing this 2 min ritual thats been helping me get ride of some extra belly fat. try it out and let me know what you think goo.gl/vF5riU
I am so sorry for your loss. It’s amazing how these fury little animals truly are our family members 🙂 I have a 9 year old cat and a 12 year old Pug and I keep telling them that they have to live FOREVER. <3
Roxy looks like our dog, Bear, who we lost about 3 years ago. He was 17, but I still haven’t gotten over it (even though we currently have 4 dogs living with us!). We did the same thing where the vet came to the house.
dogs are so great and they teach us a lot about unconditional love, and living in the moment – and even though we have to go through all of the grief when they’re gone, its worth it, in my opinion. thanks for your story today!
I cried real rolling tears for you and Roxy at work right now. We’re beyond blessed by our furry family members which makes their loss so so hard. It’s been a few years since losing my last fur baby but recently found my cat had cancer and I cried for 2 days of a broken heart. Remember that we’ll see them again someday. Hugs!
Ugh! I know how hard it is and will be for while. Those 4-legged creatures bring so much love and life to us it’s amazing. I lost my boy last April and his sister is still with us. I’m not sure how much longer but I love and appreciate her so much.
Messaging you about avocados being bad? Really? You just suffered a huge loss and people still judge, unbelievable!!! Roxy lived for 13 years so obviously they weren’t too bad for her!
Thanks for your post.
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful dog! Praying for you during this difficult time. Thank you for posting this. It is a great tribute to Roxy. 🙂 May your day be filled with lots of love and comfort.
I just texted my friend a link to a really funny GANGSTER CA-IOU (It’s a kids show) theme song. OMG we had the best time laughing xD Thanks, Monica!
Big hugs to you. I’m dreading the day I have to say goodbye to my cats. Pets are part of the family and it hurts to lose them. Sounds like you’ve had a rough year, I hope things start looking up for you!