On March 7 FaceBook got a little bit bigger as the world lost a great heart. The page "I Am Alex" debuted in honor of a deceased Cane Corso Mastiff named Alex. Alex died because he was big and someone was trigger-happy. But Alex's Mama, as she wishes to be known, wants to celebrate the life of her 110 pound baby who watched kittens on television and preferred snuggling to toys and treats. In less than 24 hours, the page has gained over 4,000 fans.
The sad story began with a Texas wind storm last week that blew a gate open. A search began immediately and Alex stayed in the area but was balked by other fences from returning to his yard. Per Alex's Mama, "My ALEX was killed March 2, 2013 by someone who misunderstood him because of his appearance. If he were a Golden Retriever he may still be safe at home with his head on my lap."
A Cane Corso is a bully breed and is intimidating in appearance. Do not judge by appearance is the theme of the "I am Alex" FaceBook page. The page is not a diatribe about a senseless act taking a loving soul. The page is a tribute to a loving spirit too big to be stopped by death. Bully breed fans and others are posting photos of their dogs labeled "I am Alex" or "We are Alex." The words there are of sorrow not anger.
There seems to be a real problem in Texas (and other states) with dogs being shot without consideration for the dog's behavior. Dogs that are on someone's property are summarily shot, regardless of their actions or where a stray bullet might go. A police dog was shot and killed recently under identical circumstances as Alex's death. There was also a high profile case in Austin last year when a police officer went to the wrong address and shot a friendly dog as it came up to be with his owner.
Every week there seems to be a story in the Texas media and of course many dogs are shot and killed whose deaths are unnoticed outside the animal rescue community. Not Alex. Never Alex. Run in Peace. May you change many attitudes.
The incredible photograph of Alex is used courtesy of Robyn Arouty
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