Happy Birthday, Leo (A.K.A. World's Best Whippet)

Leo turned 8 this Halloween. He was a race horse with a jockey for Halloween, Lucas an elephant,
Soren a Dragon, Scott was himself and I was Wonder Woman. 

 Leo has the best dog birth date - Halloween! I always remember it, we get to take him out for treats, AND make him wear ridiculous costumes.

This year we took him Trick or Treating at Petsmart earlier in the day. We each picked him a special treat and tried to reassure him that we were not going to leave him to be groomed.

Leo is now 8 human years, or 55 dog years, old. He has become quite the wise whippet in that time. Here are some things he has learned:

Leo's Life Lessons

1. How to be more tricky sneaking food off the table, counter and dump over the garbage can.
2. That when he is told to get off a bed, if he moves down by our feet and holds very still we forget about him and let him stay on the bed longer.
3. To recognize key human phrases, such as "Treat," "Walk," "Play," "Let's go" so that anytime they are used in human conversation he will respond.

    4.  To be an excellent traveling companion and help a mother out by cleaning up the car floor.

    5.  To be my constant companion and shadow - giving me a walking buddy, snuggle buddy and someone to greet me every time I come home - or out of the bathroom. 

    6.  How to be patient and gentle with the littlest child, but leave the room when they get too friendly. 

    7.  How to take advantage of that little child's snack time and wait for them to turn around.

    8.  How to find the comfiest seat in any room - which he somehow steals from under someone when they get up for a minute. And then knows to move when they come back. 

Leo hanging out with the kids while they made paper boats to float down the canal. 

I've learned a lot with Leo these last eight years, too.

My Lessons from Leo:

1. Leo usually reflects how I'm feeling. If he is anxious and needing a walk, than I usually am too. 
2. Walking with my dog is one of the most relaxing and healthy things I do and helps me reset myself.
3. Watching him run and play still brings me joy. He helps me remember to loosen up and enjoy being outside - especially on these beautiful fall days we've been having. 

Leo dressed up with his riding jockey for Halloween. 

 4. Too stop being annoyed about the whining outside my bathroom door and just appreciate I have a little buddy who loves me. (Its also helped that my human children have stopped whining along with him....for the most part).
 5. To move the garbage can when I leave the house and never leave food out (OR diapers!) - it avoids so much dog/pet owner frustration.

Leo with the boys playing outside on our dirt pile

Leo was/is my first dog and he has been a joy to have in our family. I'm not gonna lie, there has been some hard and frustrating times (like the time he stole a package of raw chicken breasts and hid them around my house. Or the time he ate/hid a 1 lb. box of Sees chocolate and had to have an emergency trip to the vet). But he has blessed our family and given my kids a wonderful gift. I was terrified of dogs when I was a child and I enjoy seeing that my boys don't have that same fear. They have learned a healthy respect, but also know how to play with a friendly dog.

Leo's personality is so loving and loyal. Right now he is snoring next to me while I type, very much enjoying his old age of 55.