When Spiro Vganges and his family adopted a gentle shelter dog named Lex in 2012, they had no idea how deeply he would change their lives. Through every chapter that followed, Lex was a constant — loyal, loving, and endlessly kind.
“He was always by my side,” Vganges told The Dodo. “He was the most amazing, loving, sweetest animal I’d ever met.”
And Vganges wasn’t alone in that opinion.
Years later, the family welcomed another dog, a playful pup named Vaughn, who quickly bonded with Lex. Their friendship blossomed into a perfect balance — the wise older dog guiding the energetic youngster.
“Vaughn would always try to get Lex to play,” Vganges said. “And Lex, being older, would do his best. They definitely had that older dog–younger dog dynamic.”
Over time, the two became inseparable. Whether napping together or simply lying side by side, they found quiet comfort in each other’s company.
But sadly, their sweet friendship couldn’t last forever.
Last month, after a lifetime of love, Lex passed away.
Before saying goodbye, Vaughn was given a final moment with his best friend — one that seemed to help him understand what had happened. Still, the loss was profound.
To honor Lex, Vganges created a memorial for his family — a shadowbox filled with Lex’s paw print, a tuft of his fur, his ashes, and a few treasured photos.
He placed it gently on the piano in their living room, not realizing at the time how meaningful it would be for Vaughn, too.
Moments later, Vaughn walked in and noticed it right away.
“He got close to it, and I started talking to him,” Vganges recalled. “‘Hey, do you see Lex?’ I said. His ears perked up, and he moved in as close as he could, tail wagging. He was excited — like he knew.”
From that day on, Vaughn began visiting Lex’s memorial every single day, quietly sitting beside it as if checking in with his old friend.
“It really shows the bond he had with Lex,” Vganges said.
For Vaughn, these visits seem to bring comfort — a way to feel close to Lex even after his passing. And for Vganges and his family, watching Vaughn honor his best friend has been deeply healing, too.
“We were lucky to have Lex,” Vganges said softly. “And we’re lucky to have Vaughn.”
