LEO

BREED: Yellow Labrador Retriever

AGE: 22 months

TIME AS FAMILY PET: 19 months

PROUD HUMANS: Shirley, Mark, Julianna & Ryan

What is LEO’s origin story?

Unfortunately during the first year of Covid shutdown, we sadly had to put down our 15 yr old yellow lab named Charlie. The loss of our beloved Charlie was extremely difficult for the entire family. Although the family wanted to wait to have another pet, I couldn’t bear the overwhelming sadness that gloomed over our house. I placed our names on all the waiting lists for lab puppies confident that we had 6-12 months of waiting and hopeful that the family would open their hearts for another dog even as they unenthusiastically complained, “there will never be another Charlie.”

Within 3 months we brought home our new adorable, fluffy ball of fur, Leo. Leo the puppy was nothing like our sweet Charlie. He cried throughout his first night, pooped and peed in his crate, and when I attempted to take him out to wipe him down, he escaped leaving a trail of poop and pee all over the family room, kitchen and dining room. That was just the first night.

Its a miracle we even survived the first week…first month…first year. Leo is definitely nothing like our first lab but we have grown to love him as he is. Like the saying goes “grow the tree you’re given.”