Leo the Lionhearted – a Very Lucky Dog

Hi – I’m Leo, and I wanted to tell you my story, because I sure could have used a dog house when I was an outside dog. To the left is a photo of me at the MCSPCA just after they rescued me. I was 16 years old, and so skinny and matted!

My sister and I were kept in a pen way back in the backyard for at least nine years.  Our owners weren’t happy because one of us (not me!) didn’t always know how to ask to go outside when we needed to, so they banished us both to a pen way back in the backyard.  At first we were cared for, but as the years went by and the kids grew older and left home, we were ignored much of the time.  We had a dog house but it had a hole in the roof, so it was always cold and wet in there.  Yuck.  It was better to be outside.  We were fed only when someone remembered and had the time.  It was very lonely and scary without food, water, shelter, or love.

Then the food and water came less and less frequently, and we didn’t do so well.  Our coats were matted and the hair was pulling at our skin, and we lost a lot of weight.  My sister eventually died of starvation and dehydration, and I was in very bad shape when we were finally discovered by a landscaper.

The MCSPCA cruelty investigators came, issued tickets to our neglectful owners, and took me to Dr. Turk in Marlboro who helped me get better.  I went to a foster home, where I was allowed to live indoors for the first time in many years (to the left is me on my blanket!).  I never had such luxury!  I had lots of doggie friends, I had pillows to sleep on, and I had everything I wanted to eat and drink.  I slowly started to gain some weight, and I learned to show some affection to my foster parents.  I had forgotten how to love people, since I didn’t have much practice recently.  I’m proud to say that I was very good in the house, too.


Then, the best thing happened to me.  Barb saw my photo on the MCSPCA website, and she knew that I was destined to come to live with her and her other Chow, April.  I liked my foster home, but Barb was really in love with me.  It’s a perfect match.  She feeds me special gourmet foods, and I even get cookies and ice cream!  We go on trips, and she’s making sure I have the medical attention I need – I even had my teeth cleaned recently.  I am quite hard of hearing, and still have a lot of aches and pains – I hate to admit it, but I’m getting up there in age – but I’m having the time of my life. To the right is me with Barb on my adoption day, that happiest day of my life!

Barb, Leo's new mom, said , “I cannot thank everyone enough that was involved in saving his life, and there were many, many people - from the landscapers who discovered him near death in his pen, to the MCSPCA Humane Law Officer who rushed him to the vet, the vet and his staff who worked to keep him alive, to the MCSPCA - all the staff and volunteers there who cared for him and his foster Mom Debbie and his foster Dad Fred who gave him love and more love and lots and lots of care until that "special" force in the universe would finally bring Leo and me together. With all he has had to endure over his 16 years of neglect, he still loves humans, and there is not an evil bone in his body.  He is a kind, gentle, sweet, loving chow.  Yes, Leo is one lucky dog, but April and I feel we are even luckier.  Leo has lifted my spirits, given me hope and love.  No matter how much time Leo may have left, I am one lucky person to be able to share that time with him. 

 Every outside dog needs a clean, warm, dry dog house.  Most of us would prefer to live indoors.  Who wouldn’t?  But if we can’t live inside, then please make sure we have food, water, and shelter – and most of all, as much love as possible.

MCSPCA note: The Gimme Shelter event was inspired by Leo and his sister, to enable the MCSPCA to provide shelter to outside dogs and made available to families who cannot afford to purchase proper shelter for their pets. People are well meaning but need education and help, that is our job as the MCSPCA.


Make a donation in Leo's honor and support Gimme Shelter and help dogs like him-

Please choose "anywhere most needed" and "in memory of"- In the box below that put "Leo and Gimme Shelter"


Thank you.