I was looking for a puppy and was looking into various breeds in kennels. I've always had good luck with mutts and decided to go to the Detroit Humane Society. I knew I wanted some German Shepherd mix and found two puppies there. One was a pure Shepherd, female and way too high strung. The other was an older Shepherd/Husky mix they named "Blackie". He was very laid back, very unique looking. He looked at me and put his paw up on the cage. I was hooked and walked out with him 20 mins later.
He did NOT like the leash at first and would just freeze up and howl, so I have to carry him around the first few days. When he came home, he kept going to some empty Stroh's beer bottles and licking them. I named him Alex after a very cool dog in the old Stroh's beer commercials.
Alex and I both attended and graduated from two different obedience courses. Alex was always very smart and learned very quickly - too much so sometimes. He had obedience, hand and voice signals, and some police tracking training as well.
We always had friends over and many large parties. Alex was always a big hit, very well behaved, and loved parties. Many of our friends and family would often ask how Alex was doing before they asked about us. More than any dog I've seen before, he had so much personality. Happy, sad, annoyed, silly, playful, and everything in between.
We took him on many trips and vacations, and did lots of fun things with him. He was a full family member without a doubt and got lots of love and affection. When we were looking for a house, we'd always think about how Alex would like it as well, if he had someplace that could be his den, and if it he'd be happy there too.
He always loved to play hard. When my wife was pregnant, he was very gentle with her, stayed by her side at al times and was very protective of her. He started this before she even knew she was pregnant. He was always so good with our son, and put up with more things than I guessed he would have.
Alex was nothing short of the best, most loving, fun dog I could ever imagine having. We have so many pictures and video of him, and tons of great memories that will keep him close to us forever. Alex was with me through thick and thin. Over almost 14 yrs, through some of the roughest parts of my life and some of the best, and he was always right by my side ready to do anything with me. He helped me get through part of my life that would have been nearly impossible to do alone.
We will probably get a puppy in the future, and he will be loved and a part of the family as well. There will never be another Alex or anything close to him. He was one in a million and could never be "replaced". We'll always remember the many great times, the funny quirks he had, and all the stories we can tell about him. He's in a much better place now, but he'll always be with us, and will always be remembered as a big part of my life.
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