[nagdu] Good-bye my sweet angel

loriandleo loriandleo at ohiohills.com
Mon Apr 16 15:07:56 UTC 2012


Hi Jenny,

Oh my heart aches and hurts along with you. I have been there and done
exactly what you did tonight.  I had to retirer my previous guide dog a
German Shepherd named Leo about a year and 8 months ago do to having hip
dysplasia and he no longer could do the walking I needed him to do and he
was telling me and letting me know he couldn't  no longer guide me. So I
started looking for potential homes for Leo.   I had 8 potential people who
were interested in Leo and giving  him a good and loving home. I went to
these 8 potential homes and interviewed the people who were interested in
him. Also these 8 potential people got to meet Leo and interact with him and
I also wanted to see how Leo would get along with any dogs that were in the
family and so on. I asked all kinds of questions about the potential
families who were intrested in Leo. Anyhow after I  interviewed these
potential families, then I had to narrow it down to who I thought would be
the best family and home for him would be.  i  finally narrowed it down to 2
potential families and the other 6 families I called them and told them
thank you for being interested in Leo but I'm sorry you're not the right
family to retire my dog too.

The family and home I decided to retire Leo too live about an hour away from
me. And the couple
 who have Leo live only a mile and a half down the road from Leo's puppy
raisers.  And Leo's puppy raisers couldn't take Leo back and the lady who
has Leo now are good friends with Leo's puppy raisers. So that was good.
Anyhow, the lady who has Leo owns her own printing shop and Leo goes to work
with her everyday and greets the customers when they come in. So Leo still
has a" job" to do  and he will still feels like he's working. So he's
the"shop dog" greeting customers when they come in. Leo loves it and
everyone who meets him just love him.

I officially retired Leo on August 25, 2010 from guide dog work after
working and guiding me for 5 years and 1 day to the day I came home with him
from Leader Dogs. I came home from Leader Dogs with Leo on August 24, 2005
and I retired Leo on August 25, 2010.

So on August 25, 2010, I took Leo up to his puppy raisers house and this was
arranged with both Leo's puppy raisers and with Leo's new family. So we
visited with Leo's raisers and with Leo  one last time before Leo's puppy
raiser took Leo over to his new home about a mile and a half down the road
from Leo's raisers house. Leo's new mom happened to stop over at Leo's puppy
raisers house and we all got to talking and crying over Leo. I said to Leo's
new mom well since you're here why don't you take Leo's food, food and water
bowls, medications and toys and blanket over to your house. That way when
Lin Leo puppy raiser brings Leo over some of his things will be there and he
will recognize. And mind you, Leo has been to his new home once when this
home was still a potential home and a highly possible home for him.

 Anyways, it was time for Leo to go to his new home and family. And of
course, I started crying and  I just couldn't believe in just a few minutes
Leo will no longer be mine but starting a new chapter in his life with a new
family. I said my good byes to Leo and gave him a big  hug and told him to
be a good boy. And Lin took Leo from me and they got in the car and pulled
out of the driveway and drove down the road to Leo's new family's house. I
balled my eyes out for quite awhile.

When Leo's raiser got close to Leo's new home Leo got excited and when they
pulled in Lin got out and opened up the car door and Leo  jumped out and
went a running into the back yard passed his new mom into the back yard he
went and he saw his toys there etc which helped a lot and to make the
transition much easier for Leo and it went much smoother then what I thought
it would. Leo knew that this was his new family and home. He was greandkids
to play with, a fenced in back yard to run and play in and his new mom still
takes him on walks in the metro parks and takes him to work with her
everyday. I knew I picked the perfect family and home for Leo. Leo is happy
and content. I get to stay in contact with Leo and with Leo's new mom
through email and  phone calls and I also get to see him when ever I want. I
just got down seeing Leo last month. He was so glad to see me and he still
remembers me but I know he's right where he wants to be and he's happy. And
that's all that matters.

It took me acouple of months to really grieve and get over retiring him to
another family. But like I've said he's content and he's happy and I still
get to be part of Leo's life in some way.

Jenny, are you going to be able to stay in contact with Brooks new family?
Also, if you need to cry, then cry. It doesn't do any good to keep it all
bottled  you. Crying is good and it helps you to heal. I hope my experience
and story can help you in some way. Were all here for you. Take care.

Lori and the Gipper





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