Today is my dogs birthday. Today would have been Leo’s fifth birthday.
As May 15th was rapidly approaching, I wondered – “should I do anything special on his birthday?”
You see, I didn’t know, this is his first birthday since his passing.
As I pondered the pros and/or cons, all sorts of thoughts started to demand space in my brain.
Those little everyday things that I do without giving them much thought, now seemed to have a connection to him.
Silly things like:
- My summer bed spread. He loved to stretch across that quilt fabric and take long naps in the late afternoons…
- While I watched Doodle Dad cut the backyard lawn the other day, I found myself pretending he was running around with his famous “Wilson” ball in his mouth…
A gentle giant – that’s what they called him…
He scared the other pet parents at day camp because he played in the “small dog” room. Yes, that’s correct. He loved everyone and everything! #neverathreat
Can you find the pug snuggled up with him?
Always a team player. He never had a problem doing whatever I asked of him. No matter how doodlediculous he may have felt…
Agility was our special thing. “Just the two of us” as Bill Withers would say. Together he and I – mastered absodoodletutely nothing from that class. We failed, but we had the best time – ever…
It was comical to watch him mimic Harley. Around our house we laughed a lot at “doodle see – doodle do”…
Although the human children didn’t have dogs in their lives growing up, Leo certainly made up for that and brought the child back out in them as adults…
He loved us all. But his heart – paws down – belonged to his beloved “Wilson”…
I can’t remember when it started but “Wilson” (named after the Tom Hanks movie Castaway) had at least eleven lives in three years. He never left home without it!…
His first “Wilson” came from chewy.com, so it’s pawfect to be able to celebrate Leo’s birthday with a doodletastic giveaway compliments of chewy.com
I’m pawsitive – if I was able to ask Leo should I throw him a birthday bash this year, he’d give me his paw pound of approval…
So that’s precisely what we’re going to do.
One lucky winner will receive $100.00…
…worth of merchandise of their choice from chewy.com along with their very own “Wilson!” in celebration of Leo’s fifth birthday! #hotdoodlelydog
That’s right – if you are 18 years or older and live in the Contiguous United States you are eligible to win!
Giveaway begins at 12:00am Friday, May 15, 2015 and ends 12:00am Friday, May 22, 2015. Winner will be announced on Friday, May 22, 2015.
Oodles of Doodle love to the team at chewy.com (Sydney you are the best!), for your generosity to Groovy Goldendoodles™ and genuine adoration for our gentle giant.You’ve made this birthday truly special and everyone here in Doodleville is grateful beyond measure.
Harley and now Jax are proud to be ambassadors for chewy.com
So – Roll down your windows and play your music extra loud today because it’s Leo’s Birthday and we’re gonna celebrate!
Best of luck to everyone…
Make this your best weekend ever.
Saturday is Armed Forces Day so I salute all branches of the military who have and are serving our country proudly.
Be safe and I’ll keep writing…
May 14, 2015
What a sweet post… <3
Again we are very sorry for your loss, he seems like he was such a wonder dog! I love the colorful photo of him on the bed and the one where he is curled up with the pug. What a sweet boy!
Happy 5th Birthday to Leo!
Hugs and Kisses from Dante & Ziva!!
May 16, 2015
Hey DZ – thanks, but I am not sad. I am blessed to have had him in my life. He was a sweet boy, and he taught many of us valuable lessons about living life and loving everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by!
May 15, 2015
I’m so sorry 🙁 but I know Leo is celebrating it up in doggy heaven! When you bring Jax in today for his vet appointment I will give you a little surprise 🙂
May 16, 2015
Hi Johnna – I am so sick with either the flu or sinus – so I cancelled his appointment. I’ll be in next week some time – so hold onto his little surprise. Leo loved all of you so much, he really did 🙂
May 15, 2015
Such a sad day with such happy memories. He would want you to think of him and have fun for him. It is amazing he is gone, it was so fast. We feel for you and hope Harley and Jax give you extra loving today. Mom always feels better when she talks to us about her Trine who passed 11 years ago, I’m sure talking to your boys about Leo would feel good for you all.
May 16, 2015
I’m not sad Emma, I am so grateful to have known and loved him – and the memory list is so long, I will have them forever. Your mom knows exactly how I feel, she knows.
May 15, 2015
Happy Birthday Leo. “All you need is love……”
May 16, 2015
Ya-ta-da-da-daaaaa – I had almost forgotten about his dance to that song! Thanks for reminding me Tiffany 🙂
May 15, 2015
Aw, Leo sounded like such an amazing pupster. Sam and I send our very best birthday wishes. Love those photos with him and ‘Wilson’ and found myself smiling inside and out.
☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
*•♪ღ♪Happy ★ Birthday Leo ☆♪ღ♪*
May 15, 2015
Happy Birthday Leo! I have tears and a smile on my face reading this post. And remembering you. And treasuring every moment with our Doodles. Thank you for sharing, Cathy. This can’t be easy, but Leo’s light is definitely shining on you, Harley, Jax and the rest of your Family.
May 16, 2015
Alessandra – he was a treasure in his physical sense, and a true jewel in our hearts. I am grateful to have loved him 🙂
May 15, 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BOY——Keep an eye on Uncle Rick up there. He loved your kind!!!!! (smile)
May 16, 2015
Aunt Ann, I’m sure Angel and Uncle Rick are tossing “wilson’s” to him all the time 🙂
May 16, 2015
I’m glad you decided to celebrate Leo’s birthday….I know he would approve and can feel your love where he is. I hope the wonderful memories made you smile through your tears…because I know there had to be tears too. Happy Birthday, Leo.
May 16, 2015
Jan K I really am proud myself. I didn’t fall completely apart – and I do have incredible memories. He was the type of dog that will make you smile through a bucket of tears. I’m thrilled to work with Chewy.com and offer such a wonderful give-away celebrating such a wonderful pet.
May 17, 2015
What a sweet tribute to a sweet dog. Happy Birthday Leo…
May 17, 2015
Thanks Slim – don’t forget to enter the giveaway. Jack and Maggie would appreciate it 🙂
May 17, 2015
Leo was a wonderful companion and you gave him such a blessed life. I am glad that you decided to celebrate in his memory.
May 17, 2015
Thanks Rachel – I too have felt really good about this decision. God is good, and it is well with my soul. Thanks for stopping by.
May 17, 2015
I am happy to celebrate the life of such a wonderful Doodle ♥ Bless Leo for being such a gentle giant.
May 17, 2015
Thanks MK – Happy to hear you’re participating in the giveaway.
May 17, 2015
We’re so happy to be part of Leo’s 5th Birthday Celebration, Leo was such a wonderful dog and we are so lucky to be able to celebrate this with you. Myself and Chewy.com hope you had the best day ever and are enjoying this amazing weekend.
May 17, 2015
Hey Sydney – We are having a very nice weekend. And Chewy.com has played a big role in it – thank you so much for helping us celebrate Leo’s birthday 🙂
May 17, 2015
Such a beautiful way to honor his memory. Happy Birthday Leo.
May 17, 2015
Thank you so much Scott, he was an incredible doodle – Please register for his birthday giveaway!
May 17, 2015
oh boy you lost leo so young, I’m so sorry. What a great tribute you have done on what would be his 5th Birthday and how very nice of Chewy to offer up a giveaway. Leo is smiling down on all of you!
May 17, 2015
Joann, his passing almost took me right on out of here. Worst day of my life. But, God is faithful, and I am living, laughing and loving again – Leo would be proud of me 🙂 That’s why I wanted to do something special for him on his special day. So blessed to have chewy.com join me. They are the best! Make sure you register. Gambler would love his own “Wilson” ball 🙂
May 18, 2015
Happy Birthday, Leo! I hope you are celebrating wherever you are, and that you have an everlasting Wilson now!
May 18, 2015
I love that phrase Kayteah “an everlasting Wilson” so sweet! Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful week 🙂
May 18, 2015
Sending you the biggest of hugs Cathy! I know Leo is with you every single day!
May 18, 2015
Thanks Jen – he is indeed!
May 19, 2015
What a beautiful remembrance of Leo! He truly brought so much light and happiness. I’m glad I could experience a little of his sunshine through your blog!
May 19, 2015
Thank you Jessica – I’m so sorry you and Luna didn’t get a chance to meet him. Please register for the give–away!
May 20, 2015
My Cardigan Corgi is actually named Wilson because of the movie Castaway! His registered name is Caduceus (his kennel name) Castaway. Call name being Wilson. We picked that name because we get a bit crazy about our dogs just like Tom Hanks got a bit crazy for his soccer ball Wilson 🙂
May 20, 2015
Taryn – We named Leo’s ball “Wilson” because of the movie. He would not goo ANYWHERE without that ball. I mean – it went everywhere he went. His last winter we had a lot of snow. The ball got buried, he was frantic. For three days we froze looking for it, when he found it – you would’ve thought we found a cure for cancer. The entire neighborhood celebrated in close to zero temperature weather. I miss that dog so much!
May 20, 2015
Happy Birthday Leo! What a lovely way to celebrate it.
May 21, 2015
Thanks Mr. N. – He was such a special boy, he deserves “lovely!”
May 21, 2015
I am so sorry, what a wonderful way to be celebrating his life here on earth by doing this GiveAway – woof and hugs from Layla
May 21, 2015
Thanks so much! I couldn’t have done it without Chewy.com. Hope you registered for this fabulous giveaway. We’re hours away from declaring a winner!
June 4, 2015
What a beautiful way to introduce Leo to other dog enthusiasts. Harley and Jax are wagging their tails grateful for such a wonderful tribute for a truly special dog. Happy to know you’re gang is enjoying their loot. Have some doodle fun for us too!