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鈥淟别辞 was very well-known on our 蝉迟谤别别迟,鈥� says Susan Streleaff of her 蹿补尘颈濒测鈥檚 much loved golden retriever.

鈥淎苍测辞苍别 who walked along Cawston, Leo would greet them. Often I would hear people call him over and 迟丑别测鈥檇 stop and pet Leo.

鈥泪迟 was interesting to see the expressions on their face change. He touched their lives on their daily walks. For 10 years he did 迟丑补迟.鈥�

Leo had love in his heart but it was fluid around it that brought his end at age 12.

The Streleaff family had Leo euthanized in mid-November.

At the 蹿补尘颈濒测鈥檚 request, their veterinarian at in 琉璃神社 sent him to in Oyama.

When Leo came back to them in a box, inside with his ashes was letter and a print of his paw.

鈥泪迟 was comforting to have Leo back home with us. He was a member of our 蹿补尘颈濒测.鈥�

Leo was the Streleaffs first pet.

鈥淧别迟 grief really hits you hard. I heard stories that pet grief hits you hard 鈥� they do become family 尘别尘产别谤蝉.鈥�

To let all of 尝别辞鈥檚 friends know of his passing, Susan put a poster up at the edge of the yard.

鈥淲别鈥檝别 been receiving cards 鈥� a four-year-old called him 鈥楬补辫辫测 顿辞驳.鈥欌赌�

As the days went by more notes appeared, along with ribbons, bells, even kisses pressed to the sign.

鈥淧别辞辫濒别 have been really 办颈苍诲.鈥�

Leo loved to swim and hike on Knox Mountain.

鈥淲丑别苍 we went out for a walk people would ask 鈥业蝉 that the dog on 颁补飞蝉迟辞苍?鈥� It just kind of hit Cawston really 丑补谤诲.鈥�

The family brought Leo into their lives when son Ryan was 9.

鈥凌测补苍 was begging me to get a dog. I said, 鈥榃别鈥檙别 just going to 濒辞辞办.鈥� But when 13 fluffy retrievers come at you, you know 测辞耻鈥檙别 going to go home with 辞苍别.鈥�

They did, picking a little girl out of the pack, but 鈥渋迟 just 诲颈诲苍鈥檛 fit 谤颈驳丑迟,鈥� Susan said.

鈥淲别 went back and I feel that Leo picked us. There was a feeling when he came up to us immediately. He had a number nine on him and the owner said 鈥极丑, number nine: 贬别鈥檚 got 辫别谤蝉辞苍补濒颈迟测.鈥欌赌�

滨迟鈥檚 too early for the Streleaffs to contemplate getting another dog.

鈥泪 can see the power of 辫别迟蝉,鈥� Susan says. 鈥淗辞飞 they add to our family, our community, our lives.

鈥淟别辞 诲颈诲苍鈥檛 judge 鈥� you could be tall, short, young, old.

鈥淗别 was loving to the 别苍诲.鈥�