lesliec said
but she is gone. She beat cancer twice. She struggled with major arthritis but never lost her love for life and desire to be right by my side. In the end it was a neurological issue that took her. She lost her ability to walk. I cared for her day and night for two months afterward. I promised as long as her quality of life was good and she wanted to be here I'd do whatever it took. And I did. I have zero regrets. In the end it became overwhelmingly obvious it just wasn't fair for me to keep her anymore. So on February 16th we helped her to sleep.

It was surreal. I'm a great believer in God and his power. I had a whole army of people praying for me and God proved his presence. He promises strength, for those who have true faith, when they need it. When Roxy needed me to be strong he somehow dried up all my tears and helped me to talk with her calmly so she would know everything was going to be ok and she didn't have to fight to be with me anymore. She passed peacefully. 

We had her cremated at a wonderful family owned pet cremation business. The man who owns the business also does human cremations at a different location. Human cremation is regulated so that there is a brass plate stamped with some different information that stays with the persons remains all the way through the process to ensure the remains are who they say they are. This isn't required for animals, but at this business they do it anyway as a sign of respect and care. So he took her paw print in some clay, took some hair clippings from her ear, above her eye, over her heart and off her back, and placed them in a box with the brass plate that was in the fire with her. They placed her ashes in the urn we chose so we didn't have to move her ashes ourselves. And Roxy came back home the day after we left her. 

There is a petite boxer shaped hole in my heart, but God has been amazing in helping me through. I've had several comments about how I'm handling it much better than anyone thought possible and I have to give that glory to God because I have no strength in myself. 

Thank you guys for your support through the years. 

Leslie 

I meant to add, this March 2nd would have been her six year ampuversary. We are so proud of how hard she fought! 

Hello everyone. I never came back and thanked you all for your kind words, I sincerely apologize. But I did read, and greatly appreciate, all of your support. Losing my Roxy was so very hard, as you guys know. I really dreaded going back to work the next day because I have pictures of my puppies at my desk. I was afraid of breaking down at work. But to my surprise and joy I was able to look at her beautiful smiling face and smile right back. That's not to say tears don't come because they still do every once in a while, usually when I let myself linger on the memory of her last few months. But it's certainly not the norm. I've found a lot of comfort in all I was able to do for Roxy and the great love we shared. I'll treasure her memory forever and I'm so grateful that some of you will also. Her brothers and sisters have really helped me through and I'm grateful for them as well. We're always up to something with animals around here. Our latest adventure is we took in a stray kitten only to find out she's pregnant. Could've done without that, but at least they'll be cared for instead of born on the street and keep reproducing. Anyway, just wanted to drop by, say hello, and let you all know we're still at peace. And any chance I get to talk about my girl I jump on it. Everyone needs a dog like her in their lives!

Sally, if you really want to see more pics of my baby you can follow the link to Roxys blog that Karen shared. I put tons of pics up there. 

Leslie