Napping the day away.................

Leo loves to play. He runs and jumps and stomps through the kiddie pools. He romps and rolls through the grass with his friends. He has a favorite spot on the deck. He will retire there and ponder his world or supervise the play in the yard. Sometimes those thinking sessions are tiring and he decides to think lying down. He will snooze in the sun like this until I decide he has had enough sun.............

Leo the cookie monster......

It has been a challenge finding food that does not upset Leo's tummy. He is on a perscription diet which is high in fiber. He gets a little scoop of pumpkin and some steamed chicken breast on top. I consulted a wonderful holistic vet who gave me a supplement with a binding agent in it. Now we have firm poop that comes out pretty much, all at once. This is a HUGE improvement from the smeary residule poops which slipped out randomly and created so much mess. He still is on the strict diet to avoid "poop explosions." His most favorite treats are his cookies. They are heart shaped (of course) and they come in peanut butter or cheddar. He is doing well with these cookies. They make him so happy! I thought it only fitting for him to have a t shirt that defines him :)

Leo at home....................

Leo's First Swim!

The day after Leo’s first birthday was quite amazing! I had slept very well after finalizing that life changing decision for both of us. The fact that he was my boy now had me ELATED! I guess everyone who knew us intimately figured it would happen, but I was doing my best to be absolutely sure it was the best option for Leo.
That afternoon I had been invited to a "Celebration of Life" for one of my special needs boarding clients. His name was Jazzy. He was the most handsome Springer Spaniel I had ever met. He was paralyzed from the waist down. Warm water therapy allowed him to be whole again, so it was a K9 pool party. Jazzy passed away a few weeks ago and the party in his honor was held on what would have been his 16th birthday. Teri Sahm, who owns the dog pool told me I should bring Leo. I thought about it and decided it was time Leo had an outing where no one had a pre disposed idea of him or his condition. So we went. He wore his blue plaid boy band and his new blue striped birthday collar. He was stylin’! Leo was the hit of the party. There were all types of dogs there. Some were quite handicapped, being pulled around in wagons or on stretchers. Others romped in a group outside the pool house. Leo ran up to the side of the pool and I thought he was going to jump in! I offered him a drink from the water bowl incase he was thirsty, but that was not it. Leo wanted to swim! I have taught each of my Mastiffs and my Bloodhound to swim at this pool. I was excited at the fact that I might have a dog who was even more enthusiastic than my past dogs. But alas, I declined when the water therapist, Claire offered to take him in. I feared a "poop explosion" in the pool. We had a successful poop on the lawn when we arrived but still, I was cautious. Sometimes excitement can cause some residual poops to slip out. Teri arrived poolside with a swim diaper and solved the dilemma. Leo went right in with Claire as if he had always been a swimmer. I was just about in tears! He was such a natural! Claire put a life vest on him and he paddled around like a darling little duck! Thankfully, Claire’s husband, Mark got a bunch of pictures. I was so happy. Now I can bring Leo and my Bloodhound, Gracie (his best friend) to the pool and we can all swim together! How cool is that?!?! Leo met everyone at the party. No one knew he was different. When I explained what he had been through to Claire she was shocked and said she never would have known. He was so happy to be there. I was so proud of him. What a wonderful afternoon! Here are a few pictures of Leo’s first swim…..