Introduction

    Leila was born on June 23, 2005 just north of Sacramento, CA.  The “runt” of the litter which is often viewed as the “weakest of the litter,” Leila built a larger than life personality that at times was food aggressive along with an aggressiveness towards other dogs, notably towards larger dogs, having been attacked by a German Sheperd at a very young age.  This would hinder her for years to come which limited her interactions with other dogs.  Her momma did the best she could raising her but her protectiveness and nervous energy contributed to Leila’s uneasiness with other pets.  

                                The Beginning

      I met my soon to be dad on June 15, 2019 in San Diego, CA.  I had never been fond of men.  Being around them made me jumpy.  This one seemed different.  He immediately showed me love that no other man had showed me in my thirteen years before.   He was kind and gentle with my frail body.  I was no longer anxious but instead was calm as he stroked my head and back.  Before I knew it, I was asleep in his arms.  

                            Forming a Bond

    We started off slow introducing me back to dog parks.  I felt comfortable and safe with this new human in my life.   I still didn’t care much for the other dogs.  Most of my time was spent in my new daddy’s lap while my new sister “Blizzard,” frolicked around.  I liked her but was still unsure of her.  I was becoming more comfortable with my new family.  

                                Miles Apart

    My new daddy was offered a job in Charlotte, NC.  I was so sad.  I was going to miss seeing him every day.  My momma and him were so happy together.  I hated watching her cry every night after he left.  We were just becoming a family together and now he was gone.   I spent a lot of my days and nights sitting out on the patio thinking of him and when I would see him again.  I missed him a lot.  

                                Reunited

    My momma began taking trips across the country to visit him.  She told me he missed me and wished he could see me.   That’s when she made the decision to start bringing me along on the 5,000-mile round trip.  I was so happy.   My family was coming back together.  I would get to see my daddy more often and Blizzard although I was still not particularly fond of her yet.  I couldn’t wait to spend more time with them.

                            Officially a Family

    I traveled to Iowa on December 24, 2019 with my mom and grandma to visit my new dad's family for Christmas.  I had never been to Iowa and it was much colder than California.  I couldn’t wait to see him and all the goodies I would get for Christmas.  The following day we sat around the living room exchanging gifts and talking.  I just listened.  Around noon I took a walk with my mom and dad down to his parent's pond.   The scenery was stunning with the sun setting in the background.  I had never been to a place more beautiful.  It was nice to see my mom happy again.    That’s when dad dropped to one knee to ask my mom to marry him.  As I stood front and center I gazed up at my mom hoping she would say yes.  As they both began to cry I already knew the answer.   My new family was finally official.   Even at my old age this was a new beginning for all of us.  I couldn’t wait to see what the future held. 

                            New Beginnings 

    As I watched my mom pack up our things we made the official move from San Diego to Charlotte on March 6, 2020.  It was easy to see how excited my mom was.  She smiled from ear to ear knowing that she would be with my dad full-time.   No more long breaks between seeing each other and sad goodbyes.  We were now a real family that would be together 365 days a year.  I had never been happier and now was the time to start enjoying and living my final years.  We did everything together as a “pack.”  I grew to love Blizzard from the countless trips we took together.  I loved when my dad would hold me as I put my head out the window catching the rush of wind on my face.  I felt young again even at my old age.  We spent Christmas in a tiny cabin in the Smokey Mountains where I got to experience my first snow.  We took trips to the beach often where I enjoyed walks on the beach and dips in the ocean.  Everything seemed so perfect. 

                            Southern Living

    As the year went on the days became longer my parents prayed I would make it to the new house they were having built in South Carolina.  City living in Charlotte would be coming to an end soon.  During that time I had some health scares.  I was suffering from kidney failure that was brought on by my old age.  I continued to push on as I knew how much my family wanted me to be there on move in day.   After many months it was finally move in day.  I was so happy to see them happy as they got the keys to the new place.  I had done it!  I had hung on long enough to see our family together all under one roof.  I had gone from 9 months earlier with my dad holding me at the construction site to now a beautiful home in its place.  I had a big back yard and patio to lounge on in my final months.  I had a beautiful lake close by that I loved sitting at and enjoying the peaceful crash of the waves.  I knew the end was near but I was going to make sure I made the most of every day.  

                                                                        Dad's Trip 

    Memorial Day came and I had another health scare.  Dad was away in Iowa seeing family when my kidney disease kicked in.  I couldn’t keep any food or water down and was extremely dehydrated.  Mom saw how lethargic I was and quickly admitted me to the emergency vet.  They gave me fluids and antibiotics and I started to feel better.  When dad got the news back in Iowa I could hear his sobs through the phone.  He felt guilty and upset he wasn’t here for me and prayed I could hold on until he got back and could see me one last time.  I was a fighter and had been my entire life having been the “runt,” of the litter.  I was determined to get better and see dad at least one last time.  Each day I got better and by day four I had completely recovered.  When dad got home he gave me a big hug and kiss.   He was in tears and was so happy to see me.   That night, like he usually did now, he made the left side of the bed for me to sleep.