Leona

There are some that will never understand the bond between a human and an animal... But I don't think that my beautiful rottweiler/german shepard dog was anything short of an angel trapped in a four legged form. Until you have experienced this kind of love... you'll never understand how precious that bond really is.

She was special, she was kind, she was incredibly intelligent, she was noble, she was protective, she was beautiful, she was filled with love that anyone that came into her presence was forced to recriprocate, she was a part of the family and she was my very best friend. She would listen to me, she would help me heal when I was wounded, she would give and take love with no judgements, she would be the company & laughter I needed every time I needed it. I had never seen a dog be as smart, as intuitive, as prissy, as emotional, and as perfect as she. Did you know that dogs could smile? She used to smile at me. I'll never ever ever forget it.

I knew something was wrong. I felt it. I knew it. I just didn't want to accept it. If only she could've hung on for just a month so I could see her, hold her, and play with her one last time. My princess lived a long healthy and very much loved life. I can only be grateful she brought so much joy into my life and my familiy's life. I don't think I would have been able to handle seeing her at her worst because simply seeing her limp or on her menstrual cycle broke my heart. She died peacefully and I thank God for that. She was brave and strong just like she always was until the very end. I could not have asked for a better friend.

My family suffered through this loss just as heavily and I cannot imagine the pain they endured to unsuccessfully hide it from me (for a few hours only) and the hurt as they laid her down and took care of her limp body. We loved her. She was beautiful. And I thank my family endlessly for taking good care of her and laying her down to rest in a place she would rest peacefully. I know she will continue to watch over her house and her family as we have and always will do for her. My husband helped me thru my mourning and without that I would have probably went a little nuts.

She blessed me right before she died. My husband and I have a new puppy. A full bred german shepard male by the name of Roxas. We got him on the eve of our 1 year wedding anniversary in Albuquerque at 6 weeks old for $200.00. It was 34 degrees out, the road to his former home was unpaved and pitch dark minus a pathetic porch light that led to more unpaved road and dirt that enclosed two MASSIVE german shepards. A male that was barking relentlessly and a female circling her 4 shivering babies. Another couple beat us to the punch and among the 4 of us we exchanged puppies to see who was our match. Despite how cold, confused, and tired he was, Roxas, 6 weeks old barely aware of his own eyesight, licked us. I see so much of Leona in Roxas. His attentiveness, his love for the front door yard instead of the backyard, his regal hatred for wet grass and/or rain, his ability to learn things quickly, his affection, his ability to know who to push the limits with and when, his massive destructive waving tail, his HULK SMASH paws that force you to stop doing whatever your doing and pay attention to him, his grumpiness and unwillingness to wake up in the morning and lay completely on you so you won't get up either, his smart aleck way that when he is told to lay down he still keeps his butt in the air until you really tell him to lay down (LEONA's FAVORITE), and my absolute favorite.. both these beautiful animals are bilingual and even if whatever craziness we yell at them isn't even close to their name, they know it's them.

Thank you Leona. I know you are always with me.

Thank you everyone who supported and helped me thru her passing.

Rest in peace mi coshita... 7/28/10