Leo Ajay #4156

Age: 8 years

Gender: Male

Breed: Golden Retriever

Status: Sanctuary

Update:  January 28, 2025

Could Leo be any more lovable and loving than he already is?

Ask his adoring fosters and they will answer in the affirmative. Having turned an elegant eight years of age in June, Leo is doing wonderfully well, winning consistent “A’s” for being the happiest, most loving dog ever! A big goofy boy who may still startle easily, what matters most is that he makes his fosters laugh every day of their lives. And, yes, everyone he meets still falls in love with him.

His pet peeves: vacuum cleaners that send him running up the stairs and baths. While not overly fond of them, he’s a good sport about cooperating — for the most part — although he’ll sometimes attempt to flee while he’s still soapy. On the paws-itive side, Leo travelled with his fosters down to Jupiter, FL for Christmas, where he enjoyed feasting on homemade puppy ice cream and biscuits, taking numerous trips to the park, playing with his siblings and with the neighborhood dogs, and being loved on by many, many people.

Everything Leo does melts his foster mom’s heart, she eagerly admits. He’s still incredibly passionate about his stuffies. When offered a treat, he sniffs it, very gently puts his stuffy somewhere nearby and then takes the treat. He still loves having his belly rubbed, going for walks, playing fetch and sun bathing, much to the puzzlement of his foster mom who doesn’t know how he handles the heat.

Not only does Leo still love “snuggies,” he still can’t get close enough! And he relishes waking his fosters before 7 A.M. every morning by wagging a stuffy right in their sleepy faces.

Update:  November 8, 2023

If happiness had a face, it would be laughing, loving Leo’s face.

All his fosters have to do is look at him or walk into the room and his tail goes thumping up and down. In fact, he wiggles his body so hard that they must “remind” him to not wag his tail off completely! Keeping his family running on “Leo time,” if they’re five minutes late for breakfast, he jumps in the bed with his stuffy and lies on them until they give in.

Particularly passionate about his stuffies, large and small, he’s even more passionate about being in the company of his family, getting “snuggies” from them and having his belly rubbed. He also enjoys playing ball and fetch in the yard, going for walks, having his luxurious golden coat groomed and modeling his new, personalized bandana.

While he’s grown increasingly more confident in his surroundings, he’s still not a great fan of car rides, but he’s been steadily improving. He now gets into the car on his own half of the time, riding safely and securely with his seatbelt reassuringly fastened.

Just in time for his next big adventure: driving to his foster mom’s parents’ house a few hours away for the holidays.

Update: July 27, 2023

GRRMF has matched the perfect family for Leo to continue his care and special needs. Our board recently voted Leo into our Sanctuary program, wrapped in the loving arms of his forever GRRMF family. Welcome to your forever home Leo 

We believe Leo came to us from a puppy mill and needs a very special family to provide a new “leash” on life. Their forever family must have unconditional patience working at the dog’s pace to build their trust and gain confidence being a dog. As their self-assurance grows, these formerly terrified puppy mill dogs can approach new situations and life with a positive outlook rather than fear. To meet the needs of these dogs, GRRMF requires the home life conditions of their forever home to have a secure fenced in backyard, regardless of the age of the dog, a calm and chill pal mentor dog and a quiet residence with an adult who is at home most of the day each day.

Update:  June 7, 2023

Leo is adapting well in his new foster home. He is navigating and exploring his new environment and isn’t bothered by the Florida thunder and lightning storms but the ice maker isn’t a favorite of his. His foster family are gently introducing new objects to him so that he will become accustom to the looks and sounds of them without being frightened.  

Leo has learned that the potty is outside and is doing great with his house training.  A trusted gentleman, his foster family doesn’t need to put him in the crate and he and the other dogs in the house have a civility clause with each other to go about their daily routine without bothering one another. Leo does expect table manners when it’s time to eat and doesn’t appreciate his canine friends trying to snatch a bite of his meal. 

A toy connoisseur, Leo enjoys varying the toy he selects to carry around for the day; stuffy toys are the favorite, then a Kong or a good old-fashion sock!  His foster mom says that he won’t even drop the toy for a “TREAT” – imagine that!!

Leo is a wagging tail, butt wiggler that loves attention, playing ball and a good belly rub.  Car rides are not his joy and getting him in is a bit of a challenge -he’s pretty quick to get out though!  He squints his eyes as tight as possible when it’s time for his eye drops but he relinquishes and allows his foster mom to put them so they will feel better. 

His foster family has dubbed him the “gentle giant that loves to snuggle, “ now who wouldn’t love that!  

**************************************************************************

He’s a little bit shy, he’s a little bit scared but who wouldn’t be if you spent all your life isolated and away from the real world.  The amazing thing is that this seven year old youngster is a sweet boy who just wants to be comforted and loved.

Life is looking up for Leo to have a new beginning, GRRMF will see to that!  What a change this must be for him to get to roll in the grass, to have doggy toys, and to see other animals wandering around. His curiosity is peeked when he sees the cat approaching or the ducks at the pond waddling by; he watches but doesn’t chase. 

Leo has been getting along well with his furry foster brother and they are forming a nice relationship. The only bone of contention in their new found friendship has been Leo’s crate napping. He loves being in the crate as it provides comfort and security in this scary world with lots of new, loud and unusual noises to him.  Leo needs the companionship of another dog, but he also needs his own crate that he doesn’t have to share with anyone else. 

Like Linus, from the Peanuts family cartoon, who showed the world that carrying a security blanket isn’t so strange. Leo mimics that behavior by carrying a toy in his mouth, it’s his security blanket as he navigates his new surroundings and freedoms.  He also finds great joy and comfort in being petted and brushed, a handsome boy, always wanting to look his best.  Leo enjoys quiet walks, playing ball and cuddling in his crate with his toys. Since he hasn’t been use to riding in a car, he’s a bit nervous and will need slow introductions with a crate or harness while riding. 

Leo’s foster family is patiently introducing him to the great outdoors, house training is coming along but he is apprehensive to go outdoors and often needs additional coaching and motivation to go out for a potty break.  Time, patience, love and training will help Leo advance and overcome his fears.  

This handsome and sweet boy needs a quiet home with another dog and an adult who is at home most of the time.  He is currently enjoying the company of a teenager in his foster home who is respecting his need for comfortable surroundings that won’t startle him as he adapts to his new life.  Leo will make someone a loyal and wonderful companion, he has lots of love to offer that special family that can give him the patience and love he deserves.

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” James Herriot,  All Creatures Great and Small.