Sunday, October 18, 2020

A Forever Home for Leo

I am still not feeling the best, but I'm hopeful that despite a "flare up" this past week, that a shot (ouch) and new medications will all work together to kick this stubborn infection and I won't have to see a specialist. Paws crossed! 

Behind the scenes, I have been talking to and meeting perspective family's for Leo. I have had this vision in my mind of the kind of home I'd hoped and wanted to find for Leo. But no one we've met were really family's I could be excited about. Looking at the photo below, can you see why? Notice how Leo is walking on the leash that's being held too tightly.

One lady (a widow) in particular was a bit too eager, and I kept finding ways to discount her. She lives more than 2 hours from me, and finding a place and time to get together was a bit of a challenge, so I kept putting it off  -- Added to the more than a week when I was totally out of commission, helped to delay our meeting. 

But I have to confess that I liked her. We'd had a few good chats on the phone, and her home visit report had nothing but positives things to say about her. She was persistent about getting together and meeting Leo. Her son lives just over an hour from me, and so when I'd run out of excuses, I agreed to bring Leo to meet her. 

I'll confess, that I was being selfish and I didn't want this meeting to go well and I didn't want to like her, and I didn't want Leo to like her either. He'd not really seemed to like the others that he'd met and he never wanted to go with them for a walk, and he always tried to get back to me. That didn't happen this time. Leo liked Annie, and he liked her son too. When they went for a walk, Leo was happy to go with them.

With that, I couldn't deny it. Annie was exactly who I was looking for, for Leo. She has trained dogs and given AKC's Canine Good Citizen tests, has done agility, she and her husband had Labs and Goldens, and she's had (Jack Russell) terriers too. On my way home afterwards, I felt that meeting with Annie was like meeting a friend. It was relaxed, and I enjoyed getting to know her a bit better. Leo enjoyed the visit too.

Annie sent me this message after our meeting...

Hey Kim, I want to thank you for coming to my son's house in Arlington so I could meet Leo. I know we said we would talk in a few days, but I want you know that I loved him. I absolutely would love to be Leo's forever home and now I just want to hear back from you what you think. I've had dogs my whole life. I have had multiple dogs. I've had big dogs, I've had dogs that have been destructive and afraid of storms like Leo, and I have loved them through all of that and I would love Leo through all of his storm fears too. I would love to have him in my life. Give me a call when you decide. I'll understand if you don't think it will work with me. Just let me know. 

So, after another week of dragging it out, on Thursday, Leo and Annie became official. Leo was adopted by Annie. 

Annie, on your right, Leo middle, and Annie's friend after signing the adoption contract

Leo loved Annie just as much the second time as he did the first, as did I. Leo walked so nicely with her on the leash - Unlike he had with others we'd met. The two really had connected.

I love Leo's that Leo's tail is up and he seems relaxed and happy to walk with Annie

When it was time to go home, Leo walked off with Annie and her friend, and he never looked back at me. It was a good sign. It was how it was supposed to be. It was how it should be. 

I'll miss Leo.




Post adoption updates have all been good. Leo is doing great, eating, having fun meeting Annie's friends and is even sleeping on her bed with her at night.

26 comments:

  1. Your Leo story made me cry....such a happy day for both.

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  2. What a happy story! So wonderful for Leo to have a forever home!

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  3. What a perfect happy ending for Leo. We're glad Annie persisted in meeting him.

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  4. We are so sorry you are still not feeling well. That must be one whopper of an infection.

    We are so happy for Leo. You are a very good judge of character to have picked the right person for that boy. We hope their life together continues to go well.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  5. Lucky lucky Leo . And good all around. Tears here. Thankful tears.

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  6. Oooohhh Kim, sounds like the match of Leo with Annie was ordained, for sure. But how I understand about you not wanting to let Leo go, for fear that something.... *something*.... would not go well, after he left your side. I had the exact same feeling with our foster babies, as each one would leave us. Unlike you, we had no choice in where our babies went... and no post-adoption report was required. We had no contact information and most of the time never ever found out how "our babies" were doing. We were out in limbo, with only our imaginations to lead us. On good days, our imaginations told us our babies were doing fine... on bad days, our imaginations told us our babies were crying uncontrollably, missing us. So I understand every single feeling you had while "putting Annie off" from meeting. But it sounds like a match made in heaven and I'm glad Annie was persistent... and patient. All things happen in their good time... and it sounds like the timing was perfect, when you did finally turn Leo over to Annie's care. Gentle hugs from me to you, sister..... Andrea xoxo

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  7. I teared up with smiles when I read of Leo meeting the ideal person to be his forever family. I hope your infection clears up quickly.

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  8. Leo chose, as his tail says, and look at his home3, a bowl, and a frog that looks so happy too. Always sad to see him leave, but what a delight to get those emails. Kim, hoping you are back to 100% very soon. Maybe knowing Leo has a happy forever new home will ease your mind, and the healing will happen so fast now.XXX

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  9. Wow! That just really came together. How wonderful for Leo! I know you will miss him and that tail, but so glad he's home. :)

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  10. It makes room for another who needs your help.

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  11. Leo and Annie look like a perfect match. I'm happy for all three of you. Hope your shot and medication will take care of the infection. You do so much.

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  12. Hello,

    Annie and Leo do look good together, very happy. It is sad to see them leave but nice knowing they are going to a loving home. I hope you feel better, take care. Wishing you a great day and a happy new week!

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  13. What a wonderful ending. You will miss Leo, but knowing that he is in a loving home with a person that has all the skills to take care of him must give you peace.

    I hope the new meds work quickly for you.

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  14. ohmygoodness. thank you so much for the pictures!
    they are worth gold! the smiles. the love already there from Annie. I'm so glad it worked out. for your sake as well as sweet Leo's!
    now you must just get well dearest heart. just try to rest and get well. sending you love. xoxo

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  15. We are so happy for Leo, it sounds as if he has found his forever person. ((Hugs)) for you, we know you miss him.

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  16. Lucky Leo to have found such a caring forever home and such a lovely carer! We're sure he will be very happy there, and you need have no worries for his future. We all wait to hear about the next deserving rescue, who will come to stay with you! Until then, take care Kim - I hope you will soon recover from your nasty infection.

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  17. Leo not looking back is the biggest compliment to you and the greatest vote of confidence in his new home. Did you ask if they do breakfast sausages ?

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  18. I understand it must be difficult for you to be absolutely sure one of your beloved dogs ends up with the right person. I love how you let Leo decide and how dogs just know.

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  19. It's sort of like entrusting your child to his/her new spouse! I'm glad Leo let you know that Annie was just right for him and he was just right for her!

    Big hugs!

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  20. I imagine how tough that was! We fostered a cocker named Honey. His owners had passed away and we took him in for a while. But he was not a good match for our family. We had school age kids then, and Honey wasn't used to kids running around and even nipped a few times. But we were glad to find him a forever home with a family of adults who would be perfect for him.

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  21. I's hard to let them go, but I'm so happy for them both.

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  22. I love how particular you are when selecting families for your fosters. I can only imagine how difficult it is to let each one go, but how gratifying to know you found the perfect place. ♥

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  23. I have tears in my eyes. You did for Leo what you've done for so many others. Thank you, Kim. You're the best.

    Now, I want you to get better. I hope that it happens soon.

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  24. Sounds and looks like a good match . . .
    and then there is your empty heart . . .
    Feel better soon, my friend . . .

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  25. Some good, happy news in this time of trials.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!