His story
Leo's Story
A rescue who rescued us. His love lives on here.
Where it all began
You Have a Gem
We had three Shar-Peis over the last 20 years, so choosing to rescue was a new chapter for our family. Leo had come up from Tennessee on a rescue truck full of abandoned hounds, all looking for a second chance.
We were nervous that day. We didn't want to promise our kids a dog before we knew it was right, so we agreed we would only meet him. His personality had to be the right fit for our family. The moment we held him, we knew. We felt like we had died and gone to heaven.
A woman who had fostered dogs for 25 years followed us around the store, quietly watching. Finally she asked if we were taking him. When we said yes, she smiled and said, "You have a gem." She was right.
The heart of our home
A Big Brother to All
From the moment he came home, Leo was perfect with our three children: Will was 11, Lilly was 9, and Raffe was 7. He became like a big brother to them, teaching them kindness, joy, and patience simply by the way he lived.
He never had a puppy phase. He never chewed a thing, never destroyed anything, and never barked. Outside, he loved hikes, walks, and adventure. Inside, he was calm and gentle, almost like a person. Even when the kids were bouncing off the walls, Leo mirrored a calm, steady energy.
At night, he would crawl into bed with Lilly. He listened to all her worries and licked away her tears. He was her quiet comfort, and she was his.
Our emotional support angel
He Came When You Cried
Leo's greatest gift showed up right away. When anyone cried or was upset, he came to them. He licked away tears, lay beside you, and looked into your eyes as if he wanted to take your pain away. He was an emotional support to all of us, every single day of his life.
He loved all people. His signature move was the body hug. He would lean his whole body into you and look up into your eyes. He would also sit right on your feet, not to be in charge, just to be close enough to gaze up at you. He made everyone feel special. He really was a little guru.
A true member of the family
He Thought He Was Human
In many ways, Leo thought he was human. He ate only home-cooked food, and he sat right next to us at the table without ever begging or being a bother. His favorites was farm raised ground beef and fish of all kinds, especially salmon.
Every family birthday, he had his own slice of ice cream cake from Sunny Days here in Fairfield County. (Not the chocolate:).
Strong, wise, and resilient
He Always Came Back
In 2023, Leo tore his ACL, something common in larger dogs. We chose surgery, and although the recovery was an adjustment, he was a wonderful patient. He bounced back quickly, returned to his hikes and walks, and wisely adapted to life afterward.
Two years later, in 2025, his other ACL tore. At 13, we chose not to put him through another surgery. We gently shortened his walks, and Leo, as always, adjusted on his own. He kept his strong appetite and his place at the center of our family.
Later in his life, we rescued an orange cat named Cody, quite the character. Leo was very good to him and kept him in line:). Even in his senior years, Leo was kind and patient.
His final chapter
A Beautiful, Peaceful Goodbye
In his last year, Leo had some ups and downs, including vestibular disease, a sudden vertigo-like condition common in older dogs. True to form, he came back strong and went right back to his walks.
Then we noticed he had begun limping. After a visit to our amazing team at Easton Vet, we learned he had cancer in his front paw. The news was devastating, but Leo, as always, remained gentle and present.
We made the hardest decision a family can make, and we made it with love. We said goodbye outside, in the sun, surrounded by his favorite toys, his favorite food, and every person who loved him. It was peaceful. It was beautiful. It was exactly what he deserved.
Leo crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 27, 2026.
In the Día de los Muertos tradition, October 27th is the night set aside for the spirits of beloved animals, the loyal companions who once filled our homes and hearts with love. It is the night they say the animal spirits return, just for a moment, to the places they loved most.
We believe they all came to walk Leo home that day. Every dog, every soul who crossed before him, they came for him. And we find such peace in that.
We miss him so much. But we are so grateful he is finally resting, and we know, we truly know, he is still with us.
“Leo was more than a dog. He was our comforter, and the calm at the center of our home. Leo taught us that the quietest love is often the deepest.”
Love never leaves. It just changes form.🐾