Leo

Anyone who read Leo’s story on the HB website couldn’t help but be touched by what he had endured. After losing our Molly in December, we were ready to welcome a dog into our home once again, and as we perused the photos and stories of the available dogs, we kept coming back to Leo. It was going to take a very special dog to become Molly’s successor, and the opportunity to turn Leo’s life around seemed to fit the bill. We were amazed when we met him for the first time, on Mother’s Day, as he bounded over to greet us. Could this be the same cowering, abused dog we’d read about? It was beautifully obvious that the love of Jody & Mike had already begun the turnaround process in the best possible way. No matter who threw the ball, he’d grab it and come over and plant himself between the two of us. He was cementing the bond that had begun over the Internet, when we had begun to love him and didn’t know it yet.  

He still occasionally has an odd reaction to things, and our neighbors have been very patient and understanding as the three of us work through his separation anxiety while we are at work. But there are new joys every day - watching him bound up the stairs two at a time and dance around in delight to be allowed into our bedroom (and yes, up on the bed). And he loves his toys, in particular a couple plush softies that he that he can chomp on contentedly. It took him no time at all to become accustomed to our daily rituals: a short jaunt to the park before work in the morning, and a long, leisurely sniff & stroll after dinner in the evenings. And then there’s the pool! We’ve never seen a dog who loves water like this guy. Not only does he love to swim, he loves to dive under the water and get his face wet, popping up looking like a seal.   

He no longer feels a need to gulp his food, though he certainly enjoys every morsel. His best dog pal, a six-month-old black lab, lives around the corner and they have great times together. When they’re not wrestling or sharing a toy, Leo simply watches Ziggy zoom around the yard as only a puppy can. The happiest sound in the house is that of his tail thump, thump, thumping when he sees or hears one of us. And so we have been blessed to become part of this wonderful, deserving dog’s life. When Jody said, "All the rewards will be yours," we had no idea how true it would be.