It is with a heavy heart that I tell you about the passing of my dog of a lifetime – Lego. She was 14-½ and we were still going to Scripps Green Hospital every Wednesday. We didn’t see too many patients anymore because she would get tired quickly, but she always knew when it was Wednesday and always wanted to go. After her visit, a friend who plays the cello would come and I would sit with Lego at the piano bench and we would play for about an hour in the hospital lobby. Many people would come up and pet her which she loved.
Lego graduated from Paws’itive Teams Therapy Dog Prep School in April 2005 and we’ve been volunteering at Scripps Green Hospital since June 2005. She had somewhere close to 900 volunteer hours even with being off for two months a year for her first six years when she was in season and also two maternity leaves.
Besides her therapy work, Lego was a champion agility dog! Lego also had titles in conformation, obedience, and herding.
At Mini Aussie Nationals in 2007, Lego and her mom Sally both were in the top 10 for Most Versatile Aussie, competing in conformation, obedience, herding, and agility. Lego also won High in Trial in Novice Agility and earned a herding title.
In 2009, although we didn’t go to Nationals that year, Lego was awarded the Goodwill Ambassador Award for her work as a therapy dog.
Lego participated in CPE Agility Nationals in Sacramento in May 2017. At the age of 13 ½ Lego, in her class, earned High in Trial in Standard Agility and 5th place in Games.
She had a total of 10 puppies over two litters. All are as gorgeous and sweet as she was. We kept Ozzie from her first litter – he’s now 12-½ and my husband’s best little buddy. We also kept Bonnie, now 9, from Lego’s second litter – Bonnie is Pet Partners- registered now as well and a champion agility dog. Lego taught her well! Bonnie is also working on being my “dog of a lifetime #2.” How could I be so blessed?!
I don’t think Lego ever willfully did anything wrong. She was my constant companion and so sweet and loving. She had the most glorious soft coat and the most beautiful blue eyes. I think she knew she was my perfect little fur person.
A friend said that Lego must have finished her bucket list. In the 9 days before she passed, my husband and I went to our favorite little bakery on the weekend and just took Lego. She made friends with everyone at the surrounding tables. That Tuesday she went to agility class where she got to go through a few tunnels and some jumps that were really low. The next day on Wednesday we went for her big important visit at the hospital. That weekend was spent at an agility trial where she did a short little run with big smiles the whole time! Lego passed away on Monday.
We’ll never know exactly what happened but can only surmise that she thought it was her time. She had a few things wrong with her, but nothing major that we were aware of and she had just been to the vet for a check-up a couple of weeks before. I only know that we are heartbroken.
Lego was a busy little dog and was simply the best ever! She is hopefully back to jumping 16” with her mom, Sally and all our other dogs who have gone before.
Rest in peace my sweet little Lego.
11/2/2003 – 7/16/2018
Laura Lotz