Since he was a puppy, Leo knew only one family and one home for his entire 12 years. When their living arrangements changed, and they couldn't keep him, Leo found himself suddenly starting chapter two. Leo lived outside his entire life as an only dog. We found out that he enjoyed the company of other dogs, and could even tolerate an active puppy.

We were looking for an adopter who appreciated a senior's mellow disposition, but also desired an active connection. A family that would invite Leo to live inside a home with them, and cherish him. While many dogs his age are winding down, Leo still has some serious "fetching in him." To watch him in an open field running around and retrieving the ball was just amazing to watch.

Dana and Jeff are repeat adopters. They had adopted Margo, a senior dog, after a twist of fate, in October of 2023. Margot was their first GSP, and sadly passed away last December. While they weren’t quite ready to adopt again, as their hearts were healing, they knew Margot would send them a dog at the right time, that needed them just as she did.

About a month later, they saw Leo on our website and inquired about him, then completed an application. We couldn’t have been more thrilled that they applied for Leo. We knew Dana and Jeff were going to be an important part of Leo’s chapter two, and his forever home.

Leo has been enjoying all of the comforts living inside a home with Dana and Jeff, and we couldn’t be happier for him. We are beyond grateful to Dana and Jeff for coming back to adopt another senior dog.

“Good morning! Thank you for checking in!! We love Leo so much, we just had to. Baxter doesn’t love him as much (at all) but we’ll go slow and get there. We set up the x pen in our living room and put a comfy bed in there plus his food and water, and his crate in our bedroom. The crate’s a bit too small (it’s fine if he’s sleeping but too short for him to stand or move around in), so we ordered a larger one but that will get here tomorrow, so another sleep in the small one.

He LOVES fetch and is so good at it. The ball has been a conflict point for the two boys, so we’ve been throwing the ball for them separately so they can get their wiggles out, then hiding the balls when we come inside.

Leo seems much younger than his years! Even his teeth look good.

This morning when I walked into the bedroom after my shower, Leo had made himself quite comfortable on the bed! We didn’t think Baxter would let him on the bed, but Baxter has been amazingly calm the past few days. And Leo is testing the boundaries. He REALLY wanted to be on the bed!

He’s even figured out the dog door after a few tries. He truly is a dream”.

“Hi Teri,

Just checking in with an update on Leo. He is doing GREAT! As you can see from the photos, he is fully appreciative of the sofa and the bed. He’s starting to show his personality. You know that character Flat Stanley that people were photographing on travels? We’ve nicknamed Leo Flat Leo because he sinks so much into soft surfaces. He loves Jeff most, so Jeff finally got a dog that chooses him first. He and Baxter are getting along well, and I suspect in a month or two, will actually be playing with each other. Leo also is incredibly food motivated, and in that way reminds us of Margot every day. He likes laying by the oven and the kitchen counters, just in case something falls. He’s a sweet and a polite treat taker. He’s every bit as great as you thought”.

Hi Teri!

We LOVE this guy so much, and he’s taken to our household like it’s always been his. He spent one night sleeping on our bed curled up by our heads! Usually he sleeps on his own bed on the floor but for some reason he got his courage up (because the bed is Baxter’s domain) and just came on up! And Baxter said, ok! Enjoy!

Last week, two nights in a row, he climbed into our laps while we were watching tv and fell asleep there. It was so sweet!

He also loves running around with a ball in his mouth, even to the point that he will fall asleep that way. If you have a treat he will sit like such a good boy, but forgets (or doesn’t want) to drop the ball. It usually takes a while to help him realize he’s gotta drop the ball to be able to take a treat.

We absolutely adore Leo. We are so lucky we got him”.

Best,

Dana and Jeff