Ellie AKA Queen Eleanor the Great

Ellie Leopold AKA Queen Eleanor the Great

March 2nd, 2010 – December 14th, 2024

With the heart of a warrior and the soul of a best friend, Ellie Leopold, also known as Queen Eleanor the Great, passed away on December 14th, 2024, at the age of 14 years, 9 months, 1 week, and 5 days old.

She was not just a dog—she was a canine soul mate, family, a protector, a healer, and the most loyal companion anyone could ever ask for.

Ellie came into this world on March 2nd, 2010, and was adopted on May 10th, 2010, by her devoted human, Anna, who was just 17 years old at the time.

From the very beginning, Ellie was full of life, energy, and an unstoppable spirit. She was an all-star athlete, excelling in basketball (the next Air Bud!), soccer, and football. She loved running through the woods with her best friend, Jake, as well as swimming and playing in the snow! Every winter, she and Anna built a snowman together, with special treats just for her to eat off the snowman.

Ellie’s love for food was legendary! Peanut butter, carrots, beef, chicken, green beans, all of the above mixed with PB? Yes, please! If you had treats, she would find you. If you made a sound in the kitchen, she’d be there to see if her assistance was needed. (The only exceptions were cantaloupe and lettuce, as she made very clear her disapproval with her iconic eyebrow arch and unimpressed expression.) Rumors have even circulated amongst her peers that she may very well have been the true JIF CEO and President, now passing on this ever-important position to Jake, with Pippa as his assistant. 

Ellie’s intelligence was unmatched, and after four years of dedicated training with Anna—puppy, basic and advanced obedience, agility, therapy dog and CGC training—she became a highly skilled and deeply intuitive companion.

While she was brave, confident and strong, she also had an incredibly gentle and wise soul. She was very sweet with children, and loved having her nephews visit (she especially loved how messy they were at meal time).

She cherished cuddles, belly rubs, ear scratchies, admiring her reflection in the mirror, barking and hopping (with a dash of sass), crunchin’ on carrots, and keeping watch over the neighborhood from her favorite chair with Jake beside her. In her golden years, she particularly relished long afternoon naps with Mr. Moose, her favorite stuffed animal, and her favorite people. Her preferred TV shows were Columbo, Seinfeld, and she especially loved watching Mad Money with Grandpa. 

Ellie saved Anna in ways words could never fully capture. She helped her heal from an eating disorder, offering unconditional love and support through every meal. She sensed panic attacks before they even fully formed, bringing Anna her favorite stuffed toys to comfort and distract, licking away tears until laughter returned. She was a steadfast presence in times of grief, offering silent, unwavering support in the hardest moments.

Her strength and resilience were nothing short of remarkable. At age 9, she recovered from knee surgery like a champion. At age 10, she was diagnosed with melanoma, but thanks to early detection, treatment, and many prayers, she was declared cancer-free. At age 12, she faced a ruptured liver tumor and survived an emergency surgery that gave her 2.5 more precious years with her family. She was affectionately nicknamed Anna’s “Miracle Girl” after this life-threatening event, because she truly was a walking miracle. And despite battling these health issues, she faced each day with unwavering courage and a heart full of happiness and confidence. 

Ellie was there for every milestone — high school and college graduation, family losses, and most beautifully, she played a pivotal role in Anna finding true love. She adored Jon, her chosen “Dad-Son,” and was a main reason her two favorite humans met, fell in love, and got married. As the official Dog of Honor at their wedding, she stood proudly by their side, just as she always had.

She passed peacefully, surrounded by love and family, with Anna holding her in her arms until the very end.

Ellie’s legacy is one of unwavering love, courage, bravery, serenity, confidence, and resilience. She was a true warrior, a queen in every sense, and Anna’s guardian angel. 

Ellie and Anna share an unspeakable and unbreakable bond, with which death simply cannot compete.

Long live Queen Ellie!