Leo West

Leo was the goodest good boy.

“I’m ready!” —Leo

It didn’t matter what we were doing, who was around, or where we were going, Leo was ready. For a walk, a car ride, or a lap around the back yard. As long as he was included, he was happy.

Leo was six weeks old when we brought him home. He immediately took over our lives. And in no time at all he developed his sweet yet stubborn personality. Before his first birthday, our daughter was born, and they’ve grown up together. And the “medium size dog” we wanted ended up being a 75-pound gentle giant.

A dog of many nicknames, Leo became Leonard. Leonard became Leonard McKennard, and then Mr. McKennard, Lenny McKenny, Lenny, Lenny Poo & Mr. Poo. Lolo (because our daughter couldn’t say Leo). Mr. Grumpy Gills when he didn’t get his way. Mr. Itchy Eyes when he was getting his eyes rubbed.

Lenny loved his car rides – car rides to doggy daycare, car rides to his sister’s school, car rides to the store just for gas or car rides to the vet, or the groomer. Lolo used to steal snacks in the backseat (which is why you’d see him riding shotgun). McKennard looked pretty cool wearing his Brewers hat in the front seat. He even loved the long family road trips from Washington to Minnesota to Texas. With his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, as long as Leo got to go with, he was happy.

He loved his chicken toy and his fishie toy – he loved showing them off when anyone came around. His toys went indoors and outdoors every other day. And his bones! Leo was so proud of his bones. He’d run around whining with his bone in his mouth. He’d want to take his bone with him on his walk.

And of course Leo loved his walks! The best way to see new best friends was out walking. The best way to see what his squirrel friends were up to was out walking. The best way to see what the other dogs were up to was checking his pee mail. If it was 5 pm and anyone even moved, he assumed it was because it was walk time! And once we grabbed that leash, he’d be jumping in circles and barking for joy. And if we were being too slow, he’d ‘nose’ his leash to tell us ‘it’s right here in case you forgot.’ He was always ready for whatever.

Leo was always ready to go, but he also loved to be home with family. He loved getting his brain scratched, gruff pets, morning snuggles at the top of the stairs, belly rubs, with or without the leg kicks. He also loved playing hide and seek, playing keep-away with his sister’s toys, hopping at the fence barking at squirrels, arguing with his cat sister, hunkering down (75 pounds of sled dog muscle)! And stealing snacks from his human sister after she fell asleep, getting some “pepperoni potty time,” jumping up on the bed for some evening snuggles before getting too warm and having to go lay on his cooling mat, and hiding under the bed during thunderstorms. As much as he loved going, he definitely loved being at home with his family.

“Who’s a good boy?” And the butt would wiggle. Mr. Grumpy Gills didn’t always get to go with. But coming home to see him wiggle that butt and give us his patented “AaahOooohs” made us feel loved every single time. Every time we heard that AaahOoooh, our hearts would melt.

But Leo had some health issues that were just too much for our boy to overcome. He had to take medication every day for about two years and in the end he just could not handle it anymore. He lost a lot of weight and a lot of strength. But he still had that readiness. Even knowing the end was near, we were able to take him on a couple more walks. Even knowing the end was near, his ears would perk up if someone grabbed their shoes or car keys.

And on August 18th he got to go for one more car ride. And he was ready for that too. We saw him perk up and get that tongue out for one more ride.

And when it was time, the look on his face was peaceful at the vet. As he lay there barely strong enough to stand, we could look in his eyes, and see what they were saying.

“I’m ready.”

He loved everyone he met, and everyone who met him loved him too. Our family will never forget our best boy, who gave us so much to remember!