THE MONTH OF MAY

By Wednesday, May 13, 2015 43 Permalink

Edwin Way Teale once said:

The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.

The month of May has monumental significance to me.

  • Leo was born in the month of May.
  • He came to me in October, and by his first birthday (during the month of May) the birth of a blog began.

That’s right – Groovy Goldendoodles™ is the brainchild of a Doodle named Leo.

Although Harley is a character all by himself, it was the two of them who inspired me to write and share (the best that I could) all the joy and laughs they created together.

When I started, I knew nothing about blogging.

That first year – I just wrote.

The second and third year I continued to write trying desperately to find my “niche.” By the end of year three I had a rhythm, I felt as if I had a beat to dance to. #sortof

But by year four, my muse was gone, and I struggled to write.

I never intended to quit, because “that” would have been like quitting on Leo. #nothappening

I just needed to know how to continue.

I’ve learned a great deal about myself these last eleven months and I cannot believe my favorite month of the year is back and I’m smiling.

I’m smiling for all the lessons learned, the courage found, the strength to continue, and most of all – the incredible memories.

This Friday marks Leo’s fifth birthday, and I plan to celebrate his life with a very special GIVEAWAY.

So please join us, its gonna be grand.

Gotta go now, I want to hear Harley tell Jax this story…

LEO

To learn more about Leo (and/or why he has a plaque on someone’s lawn) scroll down to the category section to the right of this website, using the drop down arrow, click “Lil Leo” and fall in love with one of the sweetest four legged angels ever!

This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Get comfy and check out the other Blog Hop posts below!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

43 Comments
  • slimdoggy
    May 13, 2015

    So glad we are celebrating Leo’s birthday – he was a special guy – I”m glad I got to know him,

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      He was special indeed Slim, please come back on Friday and register. Take care my friend 🙂

  • DashLilly
    May 13, 2015

    Is the plaque still there? How wonderful!!! Happy May. Hoping to read more and more and more from Doodleville!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Yes Deirdre, the plaque is still there. I told him last month he didn’t have to keep it up there, and he said “I have to – that’s Leo’s spot.” I took that photo yesterday for todays blog post of Harley and Jax. Happy May to you too! And “yes” there will be more stories from Doodleville. 🙂

      • DZ Dogs
        May 14, 2015

        That is so wonderful. 🙂

        • Cathy Bennett
          May 14, 2015

          Thanks DZ, hope you can make it back on Friday.

  • Emma
    May 13, 2015

    Mom knows how hard it is to lose such a special fur baby. Her month is October when she lost one of our favorite cats and her first dog. Mom always remembers her and talks to us about her. It is wonderful you can celebrate Leo’s day, he wouldn’t want you to be sad, and with Jax around, there is no spare time for sadness.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      I know she does Emma, your Mom’s words in the past have been very comforting for me. I agree with you and your Mom, Leo would not want me to be sad – that is why we’re having this celebration. Hugs to your Mom and sisters from Harley, Jax, and I.

  • Alessandra & Pedro
    May 13, 2015

    We knew Leo -even if not in doodle person- and we love him. In present tense because he is with us, with you, Harley, Jax and the rest of the Bennett Doodle Family and with us that got to read about their adventures. I got teary eyed reading your post today Cathy, but I recover my smile with you thinking of him and his legacy. Thank you Leo for inspiring your Mom to write. Thank you Harley and Jax for carrying on with that inspiration. Loving paws from Pedro

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Pedro, you have the sweetest Mom ever! Thank you Alessandra for those kind words – I am okay, because I carry him with me always. That is why I wanted to do something special on this particular birthday. Please come back and register for the giveaway. Take care my friend 🙂

  • Monika & Sam
    May 13, 2015

    Aw, Leo sounds like just the sweetest fella ever. Even after being gone for 13 years, I still celebrate my last Standard’s birthday. It makes me feel closer to him, even though he’s been gone for years. The pain never goes away, it just reminds us of those extra special fur kids we adored and who made us better bipeds. *•♪ღ♪Happy commemoration day of Leo♪ღ♪*•

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      “Happy Commemoration Day” – I like that Monika & Sam, I do not plan to do something of this size every year, but I wanted his first birthday physically away from us to be special. Please come back and register on Friday. Take care!

  • Earl Lover
    May 13, 2015

    Bless. Leo sure is a sweet one. We are so glad you continued blogging!!! Will his birthday giveaway be open to the whole world? We are in the UK, and are restricted from many giveaways specific to the US. We can’t wait to help you celebrate his 5th birthday! Great, meaningful post today.

    sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Hey Earl – I will have to check on the status of the giveaway. I’m not sure – but I’ll know on Friday, that’s a PAWmise 🙂

  • Talent Hounds
    May 13, 2015

    Aww thinking of sweet Leo, glad you didn’t give up. Happy May celebrating life and dogs. X Susie and Kilo

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Thanks Susie – come back and register for the give away on Friday!

  • Travel Animal Doctor
    May 13, 2015

    Happy birthday Leo. What are you doing giving away stuff on YOUR birthday?!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Travel Doc, we just wanted to make everyone smile on his day! Come back and celebrate with us – it’s going to be a great give-away 🙂

  • Kari
    May 13, 2015

    My Leo turned five last month! Happy birthday to your Leo.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Happy Birthday to your Leo, Kari 🙂

  • Jan K
    May 13, 2015

    I am so glad that you found your way through the tough times and continued to blog. I think that it is wonderful that you are going to celebrate Leo’s birthday and make it a happy time.
    That photo of Harley and Jax with Leo’s sign is so special…and I imagine Leo is smiling about it from above as well.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      I chose to celebrate his life vs. the day I said goodbye. I am by nature a very happy person, a lover of life and I can’t imagine not celebrating the day he was born, because he played such a huge part in my life. Hope you come back on Friday for the celebration.

  • Barkocity- Cara
    May 13, 2015

    What a wonderful way to celebrate such a special dog. I bet you were just as special to him! That’s a beautiful picture of Harley, Jax and Leo’s sign. I’m glad you found the courage and strength to continue blogging. You write wonderfully, Cathy!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Thank you Cara – Please come back on Friday for the celebration.

  • Robin
    May 13, 2015

    It is a beautiful moment when finally all of the tears of loss can be overcome by the wonder and amazement of a life remembered. I’m glad that you are smiling again. Harley and Jax are such wonderful dogs and no one will ever forget Leo. As I’m always telling myself, turn your tears into the fuel you need to achieve something great. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      Robin, that was so eloquently stated. I loved it. The sentiment behind these words are beautiful. Thank you so much. I’ve got tons of memories. IT is well with my soul.

  • Melissa & Truffles
    May 13, 2015

    Happy Birthday, Leo!!! Wishing you the best one ever and many, many more!!!

    • Melissa & Truffles
      May 13, 2015

      I just went to the Lil Leo section and realized that you are celebrating your birthday at the Bridge 🙁

      • Cathy Bennett
        May 13, 2015

        Yes we are. I wanted to share him again with all of you.

  • MyDogLikes
    May 13, 2015

    I had no idea about Leo, he was a beautiful boy. How amazing that you are able to experience May with positive memories. I think it speaks to his amazing soul!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 13, 2015

      He was an incredible doodle. He commands positive memories, anything less would be so unfair. Come back on Friday for the celebration.

  • The Daily Pip
    May 13, 2015

    Happy early birthday, Leo! Congrats on several years of blogging!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      Thank you so much, please come back on Friday for the celebration.

  • Amy
    May 13, 2015

    What you say about the blogging journey is so true for me too. There are dry spells for everyone I think and also sometimes as my interests changed and Toby has changed it’s been necessary for the blog to change to reflect that. Happy Birthday to Leo!!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      Amy – I agree completely with your statement. After Leo and before Jax I felt so lost, but I knew if I continued, eventually I would evolve and find my way. I’m so happy I kept going. And I’m happy you did too!

  • Christina
    May 13, 2015

    Wonderfully inspirational post.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      Thank you Christina, so happy you stopped by and I hope you come back on Friday for the celebration. Take care!

  • Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady
    May 14, 2015

    Aw it sure sounds like Leo was a fantastic pup xoxo
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      Jenna, he was the absolute best. Words cannot even begin to describe.

  • Tenacious Little Terrier
    May 14, 2015

    What a great life celebration for Leo!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      Thanks Mr. N. You two would have been quite the pair. He was adventurous just like you! Please stop back by for the pawty on Friday!

  • The Island Cats
    May 14, 2015

    Thanks for stopping by and visitng us the other day. We’ll come by tomorrow to celebrate sweet angel Leo’s special day. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 14, 2015

      You’re welcome – I love The Island Cats! Too excited about Leo’s birthday bash, please stop back by!