Leo

Leo came into our family at a time when the last thing I thought I needed in my life was a dog. We had 2 active growing sons, a family owned business, and a very sweet but spoiled cat—all needing lots of time and attention. However, our youngest son was relentless about wanting a dog. Eventually he wore me down, and I found myself at the end of a very long work week at the animal shelter rescuing Leo, a 4 month german shepherd mix. Little did I know then that it was Leo who several years later would rescue me…from grief and loneliness after my husband died suddenly and our youngest son left for college. Leo and I shared a special bond as he helped me heal, to feel loved and secure, and eventually to begin a new chapter in my life. A few years later, Leo was diagnosed with cancer. Now it was my chance to help him; I desperately wanted to heal him as he had healed me. He fought courageously and until the last few days of his life here on Earth he was still the loving, loyal, protector and constant companion to me, as he had always been. Ultimately almost one year after his cancer diagnosis, he lost his battle with cancer and I lost the best dog on this planet.