Jacqulyn Alexander
Hi Adele,
I hope you’re doing well. It’s been some time now, and I’ve gone back and forth on whether to reach out. But I know as part of my grieving journey, telling you our story will help me and hopefully let you know how much you are appreciated. I know how much you continue to love and care for the puppies even after they go to home with their new family.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to bring home three bulldogs from you — Marley in 2017, Chief in 2018, and most recently, Leona in 2024. Unfortunately, on April 9th, Marley unexpectedly and peacefully passed away at home in her favorite spot, my bed with her blankie. She was 8 and a half years old, and while those years will never feel like enough for my broken bulldog-mom heart, they were the greatest gift of my life.
Back in 2017, I had lost my childhood dog about six months earlier and was finally ready to open my heart again. I had actually planned to drive to Nebraska for a completely different breed of puppy, but somehow I came across your website and saw Marley. I can’t fully explain it, but the moment I saw her pictures, I just knew she was meant to be mine. I had never owned a bulldog before and honestly had never had a particular interest in the breed, but there was just something about her.
That same day I saw her and a couple of days before Christmas, we came to your home in Denver to meet her. At the time, you had Marley and another puppy. The other puppy was very social and interactive, while Marley was much more reserved and timid. I remember worrying that maybe I had been wrong about my instinct and that she didn’t really connect with me. I even considered bringing home the other sweet girl instead. But ultimately, my family and I all knew Marley was the one. I always said she was my best Christmas gift.
While we were visiting, Beauty and the Beast was playing, and you mentioned the puppies liked watching it. You also pointed out the distinct white patch on Marley’s neck — the little tornado-shaped streak that curled down into her brindle coat — and said one of your previous loves had a similar marking. That patch became my favorite spot on her coat.
She curled up and slept in my lap for the entire two-hour drive home that night, and from that moment on, she truly never left my side again.
Throughout her life, she continued to love Beauty and the Beast. During bad storms or times when she wasn’t feeling well, I would put it on for comfort, and she would quietly watch it. It was one of the little things that made her so special.
I don’t have children, so Marley truly was my baby and my very best friend. Losing her has been one of the deepest heartbreaks I’ve ever experienced. When she passed, the vet was kind enough to save some of the fur from that little white patch on her neck for me to keep, and I can’t express how grateful I am to have that piece of her with me.
I know this is quite a long message, and honestly, I could write an entire book about her adventures, quirks, and personality. But more than anything, I wanted to reach out and thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing her into my life.
She was, and always will be, my soul dog — the greatest love and companion I could have ever hoped for. I look forward to the day I can see her again someday, but until then, I’m grateful to continue loving and caring for Chief and Leona, who you also brought into my life. And perhaps one day, maybe even more of these precious babies in the future.
Without you, your passion, your business, and your love for bulldogs, I never would have experienced the unconditional love, joy, and light Marley brought into my life every single day for those eight and a half years.
So truly, thank you — for her, for the memories we were able to make, and for the incredible gift she was to me.
Below are a couple of pictures I wanted to share. The first, the night we got her. And the second just a couple of weeks before she passed. She loved to sit like this, next to me and lay her body against me so I could hold her in a hug while she slept.
With all of my gratitude,
Jacque
