Introducing Lexi the weimaraner

Lexi is the first dog I have owned. We started competing in agility a few years ago and got totally hooked. So much so, I got another weimaraner puppy London (more on her next time). Double trouble to say the least! Lexi and I have also done tracking, obedience, scenting, dancing to music, tricks and flygility.

As a puppy, Lexi’s quiet, laid-back nature led me to believe it would literally be a walk in the park. Just a week later, the first crime had been committed – destruction of irreplaceable family photos. I researched other breeds but couldn't get past the sleek coated, athletic German gun dog. Nearly every website tried to put me off - they are prone to separation anxiety, need hours of exercise and cats are one of their favourite prey.

I work full-time, have three cats and had never owned a dog before. With help from the local dog training club, Lexi is focused, happy and in most cases does what she's told. But she needs something to keep her mind busy and body active, otherwise she gets into trouble - big trouble. To date, she's ran off a cliff, poured paint over herself, got her head stuck in a gate and ran through a glass window. She's been hit by a car and been taken to the vets multiple times for rather strange injuries. Most recently, she nearly drowned after swimming into a rip chasing a pair of ducks.

The most dramatic incident was when she went missing after touching an electric fence. She took off along the beach but we didn’t know in what direction. I flew home early from a work trip in Wellington and arrived just as the search was about to be called off. With a heavy heart, I returned to my car as darkness fell. To my shock, there she was, waiting patiently. Over eight hours, Lexi had travelled 15km and crossed 10 rivers/streams to find me. How did she know I would be at this specific carpark, 20km from home, just as we had lost hope of finding her?