We adopted Leon from the SPCA on April 22, 2004. They estimated that he was about a year old. He was an injured stray that someone brought in and he was treated there for a month for his leg injury. It was initially thought they would have to amputate, but he recovered and the first day he was available for adoption was the day we happened to visit. It always felt like he picked us! He really enjoyed his daily walks. He absolutely loved going to the park and couldn't wait to be off leash to run. He never went too far and always came right back when called. He really got along well with kids and it wasn't unusual to have some kid in the park or on the street come over to say hello to him. They would usually comment that he looked like a wolf or coyote - he even was called a dingo one time! He loved his toys that he played with in the house and he loved his frisbee. He would play until he was exhausted - rest for a few minutes - and play some more. He could hear our neighbor Millie's car coming down the street and would want to go outside because he knew he'd get some treats, questionable though they were. (fried scallops?) He had an addiction to homemade Frosty Paws -or FP's as we had to call them- which he always ate on the dining room rug. And when he finished one, he'd come mooching for another. He was a very patient dog - whether it was posing him for some zany picture or clipping his nails or giving him a bath. He never complained. He was happiest when he was with his family - whether out walking or just hanging around the house. He was a very loving, fiercely loyal, intelligent, patient (think of all the hats!), quirky little guy - a one in a million type of dog who can never be replaced. It's hard to look at the loveseat without picturing him sitting there, looking out the window. It was his favorite place to be - to bark at the garbagemen or mailman or anyone else who dared to approach our house - to nap after his walk - to wait for his family to come home. It's hard to come home now and not see his little face in the window, getting ready to run to the door to greet us. The house is very empty without him. We picked up his ashes the other day and as sad as that was, it somehow feels better now that he's home. Though his time with us was short, we feel very blessed to have had three+ years to experience his unconditional love and his absolute joy of life itself. We were very lucky to have him as part of our family. Goodbye, my friend -You'll be in our hearts forever.