Last month, a sweet senior pit bull, known on social media as Lexy the Elderbull, passed away at the age of 16 after battling cancer. Her owner, Jenny Mackay, and Lexy’s 144,000 Instagram followers have been mourning the loss of this precious pup. 

Not only was Lexy absolutely adorable and a complete sweetheart, but she also helped disprove negative stereotypes that both pits and senior dogs face. 

Her story is also nothing short of extraordinary. 

For 8 years, Lexy was held captive inside, where she was abused and overbreed, causing her to have a low-hanging stomach. She eventually was taken in by the British Columbia SPCA. This is where Mackay first laid eyes on her. 

 “Where others who walked by her cage saw a senior dog, a pit bull type dog and a dog with a distended belly from over breeding, I saw simply a dog who needed love,” explained Mackay to Three Million Dogs. 

According to Lucky Puppy Magazine, she had been  “seeking a companion for her 9-year-old Basenji–Corgi mix, Pete” but soon realized that the “two dogs just weren’t compatible.”

“So with my heart in my hand — it was very sad — I left the shelter hoping she would find a home,” said Mackay. 

Unfortunately, Pete passed soon after Mackay’s visit to the British Columbia SPCA. Serendipitously, Lexy ended up being  fostered by one of Mackay’s acquaintances and she decided to officially adopt the pup in January  2014. 

Due to lingering trauma, Lexy felt uncomfortable outside of the shelter but eventually began  feeling “safe in her new life.” 

Soon after adoption Mackay made the lovely lady an Instagram account and according to her website, Lexy became an “ambassador for pitbull type dogs: forgiving, loving, tender, and a beautiful soul.”

Lexy’s interests included expertly posing for pictures, swimming, and being with her best friend, a stuffed shark named Bruce. 

Throughout their time together the pair was inseparable. They even had a sweet correspondence through a series of love letters that were posted on Instagram. 

Bruce’s last one to Lexy reduced me to tears. Here’s just a snippet: 

“When you leave my little shark eyes will leak the ocean. But, my Lexy - the pibble who loves me the most - the memories we made and are making... these will be the legacy we share and represent the purpose of my life. 

My life, my love, my memories all started the day we first met and I Thank You for accepting me just as I am, flaws, fins and all. 

It doesn't matter how much longer we have together because 'forever' lives in the heart.”

Rest easy sweet girl -- thank you for all you did to help pits everywhere.