Leo and Kaiya

Ali and I started our search for our bonded pair of pitties. We contacted Bad Rapp in Oakland to inquire if they had such a pair. They indicated they did not, but did receive a request to rescue a bonded pair from a woman in need. We were given her information and saw their picture. It was a done deal. Ali became obsessed with trying to find her to make sure they were not taken to one of the shelters where they would be separated and then euthanized, most likely. He contacted all the shelters in the area. He frantically called the woman, Shireen, hoping she still had our future family members. Finally, she called him back and indicated she was at the shelter giving the dog up and something told her to take them and run. So, she did.

Both Leo and Kaiya were very sick. The humane society took them in to spay and neuter them. Kaiya was especially ill. She had been over bred and had pyometra, a severe infection in her uterus that could end in sepsis then death. They had to rush her into surgery. Unfortunately, she went into heat right before she got spayed. Leo was on high alert with the pheromones in the air. It was “The Call of the Wild”. He was trying to mount her which would have ripped all her stitches out. So, Shireen, got Leo out of her place and into her car. She drove the car two blocks away and came back to Kaiya. 30 minutes later, she heard him howling out of her apartment. He had broken through the window and ran back to the apartment! Thank goodness he had a strong noggen!

This dilemma created serious problem. They could not be housed in the same area. Due to it being Christmas Eve, nobody had room to house him. So, Ali and I got the first flight out to San Francisco to pick up Leo and meet Shireen. We rented a car and started out long drive back to Laguna Beach.

Leo always had a soul mate bond with Kaiya. Ali believes Kaiya was his mom, as well, as his mate. I agree with him. Being separated from her in a strange place with strange people was overwhelming. He was out of his mind. He could not stop crying this gut-wrenching wale. It took sedation and several days to get him to a calmer state. We knew that he could not be alone. Jim, our friend and family, offered to take vacation time for a week and sit with Leo during the day while Ali and I could go to work. He was an angel and continued to be their Godfather for their entire lives. Even the all this, Leo began to give up without Kaiya. We had to have Kaiya come to Laguna from Oakland even though she remained very ill and still healing from surgery.

Once that Leo and Kaiya reunited, Leo became to thrive. Now, the real work needed to start.

In the four years they were together, they both received their Canine Good Citizen awards and Leo earned the title of Complex Rated Therapy Dog. This meant that he was able to go into any location due to his training and temperament. He was so solid that the trainers would use him for the dog that would test the other dogs for the exam. What a good Bubbah! The funny thing was that he actually hated going to my office while I conducted therapy.

When Ali and I decided to elope, we wanted to have Leo and Kaiya as our best man and maid of honor. They were absolutely adorable. We had special collars and leashes made for them. Leo wore the same tie as Ali. They even ate in the dining room of the restaurant we had our wedding dinner. They were the wedding party.

Once we returned from our road trip honeymoon with Leo and Kaiya, Kaiya became really ill quickly. With x-rays and tests, he found she had bone cancer. We were devastated. She was in excruciating pain. We knew that she needed to have her front right leg amputated to attempt to save her life. She got through a very complicated surgery and started chemotherapy. She was in great spirits and was truly happy and pain-free for 2-3 months. She got around well on three legs. She was amazing. Then, we saw her decline. We knew her time was near. With laying on my lap one night, Kaiya had a seizure. We rushed her to the ER and found cancer had metastasized to her brain. We had to do the kindest and most humane thing and have her put down. The pain of her death was profound. It was so difficult for Leo, as well. He was Kaiya’s little boy and she took care of him like a mom. He realized she was not coming back and started to die himself. We had no choice but to find him another mama so that he could continue to live.

Read on to see how Leo chose his new partner in the story of Leo and Skylar.