I know that only time heals a broken heart, but each day seems to be just like the last, filled with grief and and a sense of loss. We swore after we lost Daisy, our first boxer, we would never again put ourselves through moments like these, but anyone that has loved this magnificent breed will attest to how hard it is not to have one in their life.
Lenny, we found you as a rescue nearly two years ago when you were just four. You were a flashy fawn boy that stole our hearts the minute we met. We learned you were given up by your first family on account of issues you had with the dad. He was a very serious landscaper and didn't realize that you were a very serious gardener as well. You would watch him plant flowers in his backyard then later, after being alone outside for hours on end, you would pick out the prettiest flower, pull it out of the ground and place it by the back door as a gift. Your previous mom tried as best she could to train you not to bring those gifts, because it caused your first dad to become very abusive towards you. Well, it didn't work out and you went to rescue where we found you.
You never had a bad day from the very first moment you were in our lives. We know you did your gardening because you weren't being loved and you were being left by yourself in a backyard for hours on end. Since mom and I both have home offices, we had you all the time, 24-7, and you thrived. You quickly retired from gardening and we never had a single problem with you and you became an institution certainly in hour home and around the family. Your demeanor was gentle and very boxer-like in everyway. You were a beautiful 75-lb boy (big boy) with not an ounce of fat on you, a picture of health. The first time our vet met you he said we had won the lottery and that you were a perfect 10!!!
And now you're gone, much too soon and our hearts are broken. I left for an overseas trip and upon landing made my usual safe arrival call. Immediately I sensed something was wrong in mom's voice. She was trying to be strong, but all she could say between sobs was that our beautiful “Lenny was in heaven.” It took a few moments to register and I listened to what happened in total disbelief. You had just finished your dinner and you were standing by Gus’s dish waiting for him to finish (and hopefully leave something behind for you as he often did) when mom said you stumbled slightly. You got to your feet and walked to the next room where you collapsed to the floor. Mom rushed to you and held you in her arms and gently stroked your head and told you how much she loved you. She told me she knew in her heart you were gone and she just wanted to hold you close. Hugging you had become infectious around our home. Between her tears, mom said she could see your best buddy Gus was down on all fours, his head resting on his paws, staring in your direction from the kitchen. This was very unusual for Gus, being the high energy boy he is and always on the go. Gussy instinctively knew what was happening. Mom had John from next door help put you in the car and she said she sang songs to you as she drove you to the vet. Robbie and Lisa rushed over to the EH and comforted mom while the vet took you in to see if there was anything she could do. Sadly there wasn't. In an instant your beautiful heart simply gave out. We were told it was CHF. You never showed any symptoms. You were gone, literally in a matter of a few short seconds. And now we grieve for all that you meant to us. Lenny, Lenex, Lenard, precious pea, sweetest pea, Lenny-b-boy, you have left an indelible and unforgettable mark on all that knew you.
We have your earthly remains in a special place with Daisy. I put our favorite photograph of you on our dresser alongside your collar. It hurts me that I wasn't there to be with you, but you will always have a special place in my heart, always.
You look after Daisy and the both of you run like the wind till we meet again! All my love, Dad
Lenny, we found you as a rescue nearly two years ago when you were just four. You were a flashy fawn boy that stole our hearts the minute we met. We learned you were given up by your first family on account of issues you had with the dad. He was a very serious landscaper and didn't realize that you were a very serious gardener as well. You would watch him plant flowers in his backyard then later, after being alone outside for hours on end, you would pick out the prettiest flower, pull it out of the ground and place it by the back door as a gift. Your previous mom tried as best she could to train you not to bring those gifts, because it caused your first dad to become very abusive towards you. Well, it didn't work out and you went to rescue where we found you.
You never had a bad day from the very first moment you were in our lives. We know you did your gardening because you weren't being loved and you were being left by yourself in a backyard for hours on end. Since mom and I both have home offices, we had you all the time, 24-7, and you thrived. You quickly retired from gardening and we never had a single problem with you and you became an institution certainly in hour home and around the family. Your demeanor was gentle and very boxer-like in everyway. You were a beautiful 75-lb boy (big boy) with not an ounce of fat on you, a picture of health. The first time our vet met you he said we had won the lottery and that you were a perfect 10!!!
And now you're gone, much too soon and our hearts are broken. I left for an overseas trip and upon landing made my usual safe arrival call. Immediately I sensed something was wrong in mom's voice. She was trying to be strong, but all she could say between sobs was that our beautiful “Lenny was in heaven.” It took a few moments to register and I listened to what happened in total disbelief. You had just finished your dinner and you were standing by Gus’s dish waiting for him to finish (and hopefully leave something behind for you as he often did) when mom said you stumbled slightly. You got to your feet and walked to the next room where you collapsed to the floor. Mom rushed to you and held you in her arms and gently stroked your head and told you how much she loved you. She told me she knew in her heart you were gone and she just wanted to hold you close. Hugging you had become infectious around our home. Between her tears, mom said she could see your best buddy Gus was down on all fours, his head resting on his paws, staring in your direction from the kitchen. This was very unusual for Gus, being the high energy boy he is and always on the go. Gussy instinctively knew what was happening. Mom had John from next door help put you in the car and she said she sang songs to you as she drove you to the vet. Robbie and Lisa rushed over to the EH and comforted mom while the vet took you in to see if there was anything she could do. Sadly there wasn't. In an instant your beautiful heart simply gave out. We were told it was CHF. You never showed any symptoms. You were gone, literally in a matter of a few short seconds. And now we grieve for all that you meant to us. Lenny, Lenex, Lenard, precious pea, sweetest pea, Lenny-b-boy, you have left an indelible and unforgettable mark on all that knew you.
We have your earthly remains in a special place with Daisy. I put our favorite photograph of you on our dresser alongside your collar. It hurts me that I wasn't there to be with you, but you will always have a special place in my heart, always.
You look after Daisy and the both of you run like the wind till we meet again! All my love, Dad
