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…
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!
May 13, 2015
So glad we are celebrating Leo’s birthday – he was a special guy – I”m glad I got to know him,
May 13, 2015
He was special indeed Slim, please come back on Friday and register. Take care my friend 🙂
May 13, 2015
Is the plaque still there? How wonderful!!! Happy May. Hoping to read more and more and more from Doodleville!
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. 🙂
May 14, 2015
That is so wonderful. 🙂
May 14, 2015
Thanks DZ, hope you can make it back on Friday.
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.
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.
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
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 🙂
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♪*•
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!
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
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 🙂
May 13, 2015
Aww thinking of sweet Leo, glad you didn’t give up. Happy May celebrating life and dogs. X Susie and Kilo
May 13, 2015
Thanks Susie – come back and register for the give away on Friday!
May 13, 2015
Happy birthday Leo. What are you doing giving away stuff on YOUR birthday?!
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 🙂
May 13, 2015
My Leo turned five last month! Happy birthday to your Leo.
May 13, 2015
Happy Birthday to your Leo, Kari 🙂
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.
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.
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!
May 13, 2015
Thank you Cara – Please come back on Friday for the celebration.
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. 🙂
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.
May 13, 2015
Happy Birthday, Leo!!! Wishing you the best one ever and many, many more!!!
May 13, 2015
I just went to the Lil Leo section and realized that you are celebrating your birthday at the Bridge 🙁
May 13, 2015
Yes we are. I wanted to share him again with all of you.
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!
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.
May 13, 2015
Happy early birthday, Leo! Congrats on several years of blogging!
May 14, 2015
Thank you so much, please come back on Friday for the celebration.
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!!
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!
May 13, 2015
Wonderfully inspirational post.
May 14, 2015
Thank you Christina, so happy you stopped by and I hope you come back on Friday for the celebration. Take care!
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!
May 14, 2015
Jenna, he was the absolute best. Words cannot even begin to describe.
May 14, 2015
What a great life celebration for Leo!
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!
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. 🙂
May 14, 2015
You’re welcome – I love The Island Cats! Too excited about Leo’s birthday bash, please stop back by!