This blog feature amusing and heartwarming stories about our late Leonberger dog Bronco, as well as other Leonbergers. It also has a lot of information about the Leonberger breed, the history, care, training, Leonberger organizations, etc. I also wrote a Leonberger book, which I am featuring in the sidebar.
This is another post with the “25 Leonberger photos” theme. This time the theme is “25 Photos of Leonbergers with Plants Flowers and Trees”. I think plants, flowers and trees are perfect for Earth Day. I’ve selected photos of our late Leonberger Bronco that also feature plants as well as Leonberger photos by friends with greenery and stock photos showing Leonbergers with plants, flowers and trees. Below is a list of the previous posts using the theme 25 Leonberger photos.
Also, if you have not checked out my superfactful blog yet feel free to do so.
25 Photos of Leonbergers with Plants, Flowers and Trees
Our Leonberger Bronco in the bushes.Our Leonberger Bronco at a park close to our house. On his right front leg there is missing hair from a surgery he had (toe amputation).Our Leonberger Bronco on our front lawn.Amie, a female Swedish Leonberger on top of Skuleberget (Skull Mountain) in northern Sweden. We just happened to run into them after climbing the mountain.Second photo of Amie. Amie and her owner had climbed the mountain.This photo was provided by Jen O’Keefe, Urgent Animal Care of Arlington. From left to right; Obi, Delfi, Aslan, Gryphon, Digory.Leonberger standing in a snowy forest. Shutterstock-ID: 705193912 by Eric Isselee.Leonberger puppy running in a field. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.A majestic Leonberger on a grassy knoll. Shutterstock-ID: 731020957 by Peter Josto.Two Leonbergers swimming. Tall grass in the background. Stock Photo ID: 1989806678 by Taibomaus.Leonberger swims with a ball. Stock Photo ID: 720242263 by Christian Mueller.Leonberger in a beautiful landscape. There are some grasses and plants. Shutterstock-ID:1333669760 by Britta Paasch.Leonberger and pug running in the snow. There is a snowy forest in the background. Shutterstock- ID:1659034960 by AnetaZabranska.Two light colored Leonberger puppies playing. There is a snowy forest in the background. My guess is that they are three months old. Shutterstock-ID: 2141564415 by AnetaZabranska.Leonberger standing in river. Brush in the background. Photo by Stephanie Lucero on Unsplash.Shutterstock Asset id: 450770140 by everydoghasastoryLeonberger puppy with flowers in his hair. Shutterstock Asset id: 1921825460 by cynoclub.Leonberger Puppy with flowers on his head – Shutterstock Asset id: 2154719621 by cynoclub.Leonberger puppy Stock Photo ID: 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma.Leonberger puppy on a white sofa Asset id: 561113224 by Akbudak Rimma.A Leonberger is sniffing a couple of tulips. Shutterstock Asset id: 1352450168 by EmmaEEVPersson.Leonberger in nature in Norway. Stock Photo ID: 1779931691 by Britta PaaschLeonberger puppy running on a green grass. There’s a fallen tree in the background. Asset id: 629624387 by TOM KAROLA.Woman and her Leonberger dog on grass. Shutterstock asset id: 1741753382 by Elena Podrezenko.Healthy Leonberger posing in front of a forest. Shutterstock asset id: 1474761425 by AnetaZabranska.
An old Canadian Leonberger called Mak with my book The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. Photo by Debbie Ireland.Like most very large dogs Leonbergers don’t live very long. Our Leonberger Bronco got his Grey-Muzzle award from the Leonberger Health Foundation International for reaching the age of 12 years old and thus giving hope for a longer life to all Leonbergers.
This is a guest post written by Ryan Goodchild. He emailed me asking me if he could publish this post regarding caring for aging Leonberger. I said yes. I am very grateful to Ryan for his contribution. I added the photos. See his post below.
Caring for Aging Leonbergers: Gentle Stewardship for a Noble Breed
Leonbergers are among the most majestic of dogs, gentle giants with deep eyes and a noble temperament. Yet as they age, their impressive size can make the journey into senior years more complex. Providing attentive, structured care can extend both their lifespan and their sense of ease.
Key Takeways
Large breeds like Leonbergers face an earlier onset of joint and heart issues; early detection matters.
Routine, low-impact exercise sustains mobility without strain.
Dietary adjustments can prevent unnecessary weight gain and inflammation.
Organized health tracking improves coordination with veterinarians.
Emotional stability and routine help aging Leonbergers thrive.
Bronco our Leonberger dog is taking a rest during a walk. He is twelve and a half years old.
Movement, Moderation, and Mindful Play
As Leonbergers age, mobility becomes one of the first visible signs of change. These dogs are stoic by nature, and they’ll often mask discomfort until it’s advanced. Structured daily activity, rather than long or sporadic walks, helps maintain joint lubrication and muscle tone. Before implementing the list below, remember: consistency outperforms intensity in senior dogs.
Short, frequent walks instead of long treks
Gentle swimming or hydrotherapy to maintain strength
Orthopedic support beds to reduce pressure on hips
Warm-ups and cool-downs before and after activity
Avoid stairs and slippery floors
Our Leonberger Bronco taking a resting in the grass in our backyard.
The Nutrition Shift: Balancing Strength and Weight
Proper nutrition is the most controllable lever for supporting your Leonberger’s aging body. Senior diets should favor lean protein, omega fatty acids, and joint-supportive ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. Maintaining a stable weight relieves stress on the joints and heart, critical in large breeds prone to orthopedic and cardiac issues.
Before introducing supplements or new foods, ask your vet for metabolic screening. Senior metabolism slows down, and caloric needs can drop by 20–30%.
Our old Leonberger dog Bronco is coming up to me. Maybe it is dinner time.
Organized Health Tracking for Long-Term Comfort
Keeping your Leonberger’s medical and health information in one place transforms how you coordinate care, especially across multiple veterinarians or specialists. When you can easily review past test results, medication schedules, or dietary shifts, you reduce oversight risks and improve continuity of care. Centralized documentation also helps detect subtle changes over time, like gradual increases in kidney markers or weight fluctuations.
For this reason, an online PDF platform like this is worth a look.It offers practical tools to manage your pet’s documents in PDF form, and you can even convert, compress, edit, rotate, or reorder files. Keeping your records as PDFs ensures they’re universally accessible and easily shareable with any vet clinic.
Old Leonberger. Notice the gray muzzle. Stock Photo ID: 1844035084 by Daniel Lesk.
Create a Home Environment That Supports Aging
Leonbergers are emotional creatures, they notice routine disruptions and physical discomforts more than we realize. Making environmental adjustments will enhance both safety and serenity. Here’s a simple how-to checklist to start with:
➢ Schedule consistent feeding, exercise, and sleep times.
➢ Install nonslip rugs or mats along walking paths.
➢ Keep water bowls elevated to reduce neck strain.
➢ Adjust room temperatures; older dogs chill more easily.
➢Use gentle lighting to help those with fading vision.
➢ Offer mental enrichment through scent games or puzzle toys.
Digory and Obi two aging Leonbergers. Notice the grey muzzles. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.
Early Detection Through Routine Screening
Veterinary visits every six months (instead of annually) are invaluable in the senior stage. They allow for the timely detection of thyroid imbalances, early arthritis, and cardiomyopathy, all common in Leonbergers. Blood pressure checks, urinalysis, and cardiac ultrasounds should be part of your preventive plan. Here’s a quick comparison of recommended tests for senior Leonbergers:
Test Type
Frequency
Purpose
Bloodwork & Urinalysis
Every 6 months
Detect organ stress or metabolic changes
Orthopedic Exam
Yearly
Identify joint deterioration early
Echocardiogram
Every 12–18 months
Screen for dilated cardiomyopathy
Dental Cleaning
Every 6–9 months
Prevent systemic inflammation
Weight & Body Condition
Monthly at home
Track obesity risk
Our Leonberger Bronco taking a break during a walk. He is old for a Leonberger. He is 12 years old and 10 months.
Emotional Presence: The Subtle Form of Care
Leonbergers thrive on companionship. As they age, separation anxiety or confusion can intensify, especially if cognitive decline begins. Maintain a calm household rhythm, avoid sudden relocations, and keep them close to family life. The reassurance of your presence often does more for their comfort than any supplement or therapy.
FAQ
How often should I adjust my Leonberger’s diet as they age? Most dogs benefit from a nutritional review every 6–9 months, as caloric and protein needs change. Work with your vet to adjust based on body condition and lab values. Small, incremental changes prevent digestive upset and weight swings.
What’s the right exercise level for an elderly Leonberger? Aim for multiple 10–15 minute walks daily and low-impact play. Overexertion accelerates joint wear, while too little activity causes stiffness and muscle loss. Observe recovery time after walks as your guide.
Can joint supplements really help? Yes, glucosamine, MSM, and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and pain when used consistently. Results may take 4–8 weeks, so track improvements patiently. Always choose vet-approved formulations designed for large breeds.
How do I recognize signs of cognitive decline? Look for pacing, confusion, or nighttime restlessness. These signs can mimic anxiety but often stem from age-related cognitive dysfunction. Specialized diets and enrichment can help slow progression.
Is it okay to groom my senior Leonberger as before? Grooming is still essential, but adjust for comfort. Shorter sessions with frequent breaks reduce fatigue and stress. Keep nails trimmed to prevent balance issues and discomfort.
When is it time to consider palliative or hospice care? When daily mobility, appetite, and emotional engagement decline significantly despite treatment, it may be time to focus on comfort. A quality-of-life assessment from your vet can guide compassionate decisions. The goal shifts from curing to easing.
Closeup of old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 1942925251 by Wirestock Creators.
Conclusion
Caring for an aging Leonberger is both an art and an act of devotion. It’s about more than prolonging life, it’s about enriching every moment your dog still wants to share. With consistent monitoring, gentle activity, and a serene home rhythm, your Leonberger can continue to live with grace, dignity, and the steady comfort of your presence.
I just received a couple of photos from our niece Jessica and her husband Eric. They live in Minnesota. They had encountered a Leonberger dog named Oliver, and they took a couple of photos. For those who do not know, Leonbergers are large family friendly dogs related to Saint Bernards. It is a rare breed, so you don’t see them very often. If you want to read more about this amazing breed, see the list of all my blog posts.
A friendly Leonberger named Oliver. Photo by Jessica Sardas.A friendly Leonberger named Oliver. Photo by Jessica Sardas.
Other Leonberger Chance Encounters
Another amazing Leonberger chance encounter happened when we visited my native country Sweden. We had hiked up a mountain in the high coast region (that’s where I grew up) called the Skule Berget, or Skull Mountain in English. The elevation of the hike was nearly 1,000 feet. Guess what we found at the summit besides the red cabin restaurant selling waffles to the brave souls who managed to finish the hike? A Leonberger named Amie. We took some photos of Amie. I hope she got some waffles too. You can read more about our adventure here.
Amie at the top of Skule Berget.Amie was playful but very well behaved.
Another chance encounter was when our daughter-in-law’s mother had a chance encounter with a Leonberger at her mother’s nursing home. Leonberger dogs are big but friendly, trusting, calm, confident, and very trainable, making them perfect therapy dogs. They are therefore often used as therapy dogs at hospitals, nursing homes and mental institutions. You can read more about this encounter here.
Our daughter-in-law’s mother is on the left and her mother is on the right. She gave me permission to use this photo. The Leonberger is in the middle front.
A Therapy Leonberger Called Scout
Speaking about therapy dogs. Below is a video about a Leonberger called Scout by CBC news in Canada. This Leonberger is helping residents at Hamilton mental health hospital. He was bred by Concorde Ridge Leonbergers. They have a website and a blog which I follow. You can visit my post about Scout here. The 1-minute video is shown on the website below.
About the book The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle
Finally, I would like to mention that I wrote a book about our late Leonberger Bronco, or Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle. The title of the book is “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger”. The book features the amusing adventures of our Leonberger Bronco and his dog friends, as well as information on how to train and care for Leonbergers and other large breeds, their breed history, breed standard, Leonberger organizations, and an extensive resource guide at the end. I can add that all photos and illustrations are in color. The price of the paperback version is 17.95 (normal prize is $19.95) and the price of the Kindle version is $4.95 All proceeds go to the Leonberger Health Foundation International, an organization that works to improve the health and longevity of Leonbergers and other large dog breeds.
This is the front cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click here or on the image to go to the United States Amazon location for the paperback version of the book.This is the back cover of the book “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”. Click here or on the image to go to the Amazon.com location for the kindle version of the book.Again, these are the endorsements for the book by some very prominent members of the Leonberger community. Click here or on the image to go to the location for the book Amazon in Canada.
This is another post with the “25 Leonberger photos” theme. This time the theme is Leonberger faces. The post feature close ups of Leonbergers looking into the camera. A lot of the photos are of our late Leonberger Bronco but there are many other Leonberger photos as well. Below is a list of the previous posts using the theme 25 Leonberger photos.
Also don’t forget to check out my new blog if you haven’t done so.
25 Leonberger Faces
About half of the photos of Leonberger faces below are mine, mostly of our Leonberger Bronco. There are also several photos by Jen O’Keefe and Leonberger community friend. There is also a photo by Brenda Seito and one by Debbie Ireland, and the illustration of Bronco’s face was made by Naomi Rosenblatt.
This is a photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.This is a black and white photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.Bronco our Leonberger dog is taking a rest during a walk. He is twelve and a half years old.Our Leonberger dog Bronco is coming up to me. He wants my attention.Bronco taking a resting in the grass in our backyard. He is pretty old in this picture. For a Leonberger he lived very long.It is Bronco’s 11th birthday.In this photo our Leonberger dog Bronco is eleven and a half years old and we have acquired a new puppy, a mini-Australian Shepherd by the name Rollo.Bronco is taking a break during a walk. He is very old for a Leonberger. Leonbergers typically live 8-10 years. This is a common problem with giant breeds. In this picture he is 12 years old and 10 months.Our Leonberger Bronco was great at finding run away hamsters. This illustration depicts Bronco’s with puffy cheeks in which he is holding two run away hamsters. He saved them! Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.Bronco our Leonberger with Daisy our Pug in the Kitchen. Bronco says, “look what Daisy did to the gingerbread house that stood on the counter”. Actually, what really happened was that Bronco grabbed the gingerbread house and shared it with Daisy.A Canadian Leonberger called Mak with my book. Photo by Debbie Ireland.Hachi is a one-year-old Canadian Leonberger here he is featured with my book. The owner and photographer is Brenda Saito and her husband.Digory and Obi are two Leonbergers. Digory was a very brave Leonberger who fought cancer. He was featured in the Leo-Letter a Leonberger Magazine Photo by Jen O’Keefe. Jen is a friend in the Leonberger community.Second photo of Digory and Obi. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Five Leonbergers including Digory on 4th of July 2023. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Digory with Leonbergers friends on the beach. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Six Leonbergers from left to right: Caspian (Obi’s nephew), Austin (Obi’s son), Delfi, Obi, Digory, and Rilian (Obi’s son). Photo by Velvy TheLion.Amie was a Leonberger that we met in northern Sweden. We met her and her owner on a mountain top that we had hiked up to. It was a strenuous hike so the Leonberger and her owner must have been in good shape. The name of the mountain is Skule Berget, or in English, Skull Mountain.Big dog Leonberger portrait in the studio Stock Photo ID: 193024763 by Csanad Kiss.Old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 2342234815 by theimagebooth.Closeup of old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 1942925251 by Wirestock Creators.Leonberger in Norway Stock Photo ID: 1779931691 by Britta Paasch.A Leonberger puppy that is probably around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.A Leonberger puppy Asset id: 763087333 by Liliya KulianionakLeonberger puppy in front of white background Asset id: 1910154892 by cynoclub
It is easy for me to answer the daily prompt “What are your favorite animals?”, it is Canis Lupus Familiaris, or dogs of course, especially Leonberger dogs.
ur Labrador Baylor and German Shepherd Baby. They were both rescues.
Dogs are very social and often quite intelligent. They are loving, loyal, fun, innocent, playful and they can provide protection whether it is physically or just via their barking, which alerts us to the presence of strangers. Dogs provide companionship and encourage physical activity since you need to take them for walks and play with them.
A black and white photo of our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.Our Leonberger Bronco is in the front yard.
Among dogs my favorite breed is the Leonberger. Leonbergers are confident and brave gentle giants. They are great with children, very social and good companions and they can also be guard dogs. They are not aggressive and were not bred for that purpose, but their size, strength, courage, protective nature and acute senses make it a natural role for them. Our Leonberger Bronco protected the entire neighborhood by chasing off a peeping Tom. Leonbergers are double-coated, and they have webbed paws, so they’re natural swimmers as well. They are sometimes used in water rescue operations. But be careful, they are big, full of energy, and can be rambunctious when they’re young.
Below are various photos of our dogs
Our Leonberger Bronco and our Pug DaisyOur Japanese Chin Ryu with our daughter who was 9 years old at the time.Our Japanese Chin Ryu.Our pug Daisy loved to sunbath even when it was hot. Here she is catching some rays while lying on our old backyard porch, which had gravel.Our daughter with our pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.A gray wolf on the left. Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo sitting in a stroller on the right. Whenever there was a sound that scared him, such as quacking ducks, or someone banging on something, he wanted to sit in Daisy’s stroller.Our Leonberger Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.
All official dog breeds have a breed standard. If you want to show your dog your dog has to closely match the breed standard. Below is the breed standard for the Leonberger.
The physical breed standard for the Leonberger. There is also one for character/behavior. The AKC / the USA has its own breed standard for the Leonberger but it closely resembles the international one.
This is another of my 25 Leonberger photos posts. This time the theme is old Leonbergers. Most of the photos are of our late Leonberger Bronco from the age of 11 years old and up. Since Leonbergers typically live 8-10 years, eleven years old and up is indeed old for a Leonberger. One of the photos is a photo of Bronco with my wife standing next to him holding his Grey Muzzle Award. This is an award given to Leonbergers who have reached the age of 12 years or older.
The first two photos are photos of Leonbergers belonging to friends of mine, then there are 17 photos of Bronco and finally there are six Leonberger stock photos. If you’ve been following my blog, you may have seen many of these photos already but not all of them. Below is a list of the previous 25 Leonberger posts I’ve made.
A Canadian Leonberger called Mak with my book. Photo by Debbie Ireland.Digory and Obi two Leonbergers. Photo by Jen O’Keefe.Bronco’s 11th birthday.Bronco taking a resting in the grass in our backyard.Bronco and our Pug Daisy. Daisy is leaving because she thinks Bronco is hogging the sofa.Our Leonberger dog Bronco is coming up to me. Maybe it is dinner time.Our Leonberger Bronco in the backyard with our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo. This is the first time they met.Our Leonberger dog Bronco is eleven and a half years old and we have acquired a new puppy, a mini-Australian Shepherd by the name Rollo.Rollo wants Bronco to play with him, but Bronco is old.Bronco got his Grey-Muzzle award from the Leonberger Health Foundation International for reaching the age of 12 years old and thus giving hope for a longer life to all Leonbergers.Bronco our Leonberger dog is taking a rest during a walk. He is twelve and a half years old.A rambunctious Rollo is biting Bronco’s tail. Bronco was very patient. One time Rollo swung in his tail as if it was a swing.Our Leonberger Bronco is in the bushes at grandpa and grandma’s house.After a toe amputation due to toe cancer, Bronco needed to wear a cone, a big soft cone. Unfortunately, he frequently cleared tables as he swung the cone back and forth. Here he has just pushed a pile of books and papers off a table.Rollo wants Bronco to give him a belly rub. But Bronco does not know how to give belly rubs.Bronco taking a break during a walk. He is old for a Leonberger. He is 12 years old and 10 months.Bronco our Leonberger is hanging out with Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd. Bronco is 12 years old and 11 months, in this photo. You can see his blue help-em-up around his waist. He needed help to get up. Unfortunately, he only had two more weeks to live in this photo.Big dog Leonberger portrait in the studio Stock Photo ID: 193024763 by Csanad Kiss.Old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 2342234815 by theimagebooth.Mature big Leonberger Stock Photo ID:731020957 by Peter Josto.Old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 1844035084 by Daniel Lesk.Old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 1957113277 by AnetaZabranska.Old Leonberger in the snow Stock Photo ID: 1944789826 by Anna Krivitskaya.Old Leonberger in Norway Stock Photo ID: 1779931691 by Britta Paasch.Closeup of old Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 1942925251 by Wirestock Creators.
Also don’t forget to check out my new blog if you haven’t done so.
I almost missed that today is Rainbow Bridge Day or more correctly Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a day of reflection and gratitude that takes place every year on August 28th to honor pets who have passed away. We lost several pets through the years, hamsters, snakes, rabbits and dogs. In this post I will focus on the dogs we lost including Daisy our Pug, Bronco our Leonberger, Ryu our Japanese Chin, Baby our German Shepherd and Baylor or Labrador, or rather Yellow Lab mix. I will start with the dog we lost last, our Pug Daisy and end with the dog we lost first, our Labrador Baylor. I should say that my wife had dogs before we met each other, but Baylor was my first dog. I did not grow up with dogs. We miss them all very much. They left a hole in our hearts.
Our Pug Daisy was a sweet and easy dog who lived a long life. On April 5th this year she died peacefully in our arms at the age of 15 ½ years old. This was just a few months ago, and it still feels strangely empty without her. Our dog Rollo, a mini–Australian Shepherd has been alone ever since.
Daisy came to us a little pug puppy almost 16 years ago. Our son David, eleven years old at the time, was holding her. A few months ago, I held her for the last time.Daisy’s 15th birthday. This is one of the last photos of Daisy.Daisy on the sofa after an exhausting day of doing nothing.Our daughter is petting Rollo and Daisy. Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is still with us. He is six years old.A painting of our late pug Daisy who passed away in April. It is based on one of our photos and created by Etsy. I believe by the same woman who made Bronco’s portrait (see below).
The dog we lost before Daisy was our Leonberger dog Bronco. The Leonberger dog is a very large dog related to St. Bernards, Newfound land dogs, and Great Pyrenees, He died on June 16, 2020, just a couple of weeks before his 13th birthday. He lived a long life for a Leonberger. He was s sweetheart who protected our smaller dogs. He likely saved the life of our other dogs a couple of times, he found run-away hamsters, and he saved our neighborhood from a nightly intruder harassing the women in the neighborhood. He was also incredibly funny. I wrote a book about him and the Leonberger breed. Look to the right if you are using a laptop and at the bottom of the screen if you are using a mobile phone.
Bronco our Leonberger three months old.Today’s walk with Bronco and rest stop : April 18 2020, Bronco is 12 years 9 1/2 months.The portrait was drawn by Veniceme at Etsy (Natasha Dall’Ara) and it is based on one of our photos.Bronco lived a very long life for a Leonberger. Giant breeds don’t live long. The Leonberger Health Foundation International is trying to fix that. Bronco’s longevity is an inspiration for all Leonbergers and giant breeds around the world. Hopefully his DNA sample will be of some help.
In February of 2018 we lost Bronco’s little friend our little Japanese Chin Ryu. We bought him from Petland not knowing that they got their dogs from Puppy Mills. One time when we went to Petland to buy dog food we brought Ryu with us. As we approached the store he started shaking out of fear. That was a wakeup call for us. He loved howling and it sounded like he was singing an opera. Perhaps he loved howling for the attention he got when he did. Everyone turned around and clapped when he howled. He was a happy fella who died a bit prematurely at the age of 10 from cancer. I was working 16-hour days in Oklahoma when he passed so I could not be with him when he died, which is something I will forever regret.
Ryu loved dancing and singing and Bronco partially visible on the left was his big brother and protector.Rachel and Ryu, the Japanese Shin at the dogpark.Our smart little angel was unlucky with cancer, and I was not there for him. That is Baby and Baylor waiting at the end of the rainbow bridge.
Baby was a female German Shepherd. One of Claudia’s sisters had rescued her. We were told she had been abused by her first owners and she was a very anxious dog. We frequently took the dogs to the dog park, but she was never comfortable there and kept to herself. She was very protective of our Leonberger Bronco when he was a puppy. She played with him and protected him fiercely as if she was his mother. She died from cancer at home on her mattress. It would have been better for her to get an injection at the veterinary, but we did not react quick enough. Another thing we regret.
Bronco, at the age of four or five months, would soon outgrow his playmate Baby.Baby was always a little wary at the dog park.Sometimes not thinking things through is cruel. Watch your emotions. We could have done better for our brave German Shepherd Baby.
Baylor was a ¾ Yellow Lab and ¼ Ridgeback. He was a happy and brave dog who fought bravely when attacked by other dogs. He was also food crazy and stole a lot of food. As he got older, he developed diabetes and cataracts. His passing was the saddest and most shocking. We had left our dogs with a dog sitter during a ski vacation when she called us and told us she could not stay at our house because she had several other dogs to take care of. Something she had not told us. We were forced to allow her to take our dogs to her house. The next phone call was much worse. She had put Baylor out in her backyard because he was barking at night, and he had escaped. It was a cold night. He was found dead the next morning halfway between her house and our house. Hit by a driver who just left him there. Apparently, he had tried to get back to our house. It was quite a shock, and the kids were bawling their eyes out. That was the last time we hired a dog sitter.
Baylor and BabyPhoto of our Labrador BaylorOur Labrador left us tragically and unexpectantly. Evidence that we humans our cruel.The paw prints that dogs leave in your heart are eternal.
This is another one of my 25 Leonberger photos posts. This time the theme is young Leonbergers, puppies as well as teenage Leonbergers. The teenager photos show them before their bodies has filled out. Below is a list of the previous 25 Leonberger posts I’ve made.
If you’ve been following my blog, you will have seen many of these photos already but not all of them. About half of the photos are of our Leonberger Bronco and then there are stock photos and photos from other people.
Also don’t forget to check out my new blog if you haven’t done so.
Photo of Hachi a young Leonberger in Canada. He is about six months old. The photo is taken with permission from a review for my book. Click on the photo to see the associated review.This is a photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.Baby (German Shepherd) is playing with our four months old Leonberger Bronco.About five months old Bronco sleeping on his back.Our Leonberger Bronco at the dog park at five/six months old. He is wearing a bandage on his knee because he got a condition from growing too fast. The two ladies are the owners of the little dog.Our about one year old Leonberger at the dog park. He is gangly looking and not yet stocky. In the background you can see our yellow lab Baylor.Another photo of our not yet one year old Leonberger Bronco at the dog park.Our not yet one year old Leonberger Bronco at the dog park with our German Shepherd Baby.Our one-year-old Leonberger Bronco wants to give me a hug.Our Leonberger Bronco swimming in White Rock Lake. He is about one year old in the photo.Bronco our Leonberger get washed off and a fairly young age. He liked water.Bronco standing by the kitchen gate. The kitchen gate was there to keep him from going inside the kitchen and do counter surfing.Ten Leonberger puppies. My guess is that they are about two months old. Shutterstock-ID:561107710 by Akbudak Rimma.Leonberger puppy Stock Photo ID: 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma.Leonberger puppy. My guess is that he is around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.A Leonberger puppy running in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2056502327 by Nikky de Graaf.Young Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 2089116934 by cynoclubTwo light colored Leonberger puppies playing. My guess is that they are three months old. Shutterstock-ID: 2141564415 by AnetaZabranska.Leonberger + Chihuahua Stock Photo ID: 2166660069 by cynoclub.Young Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 2170918265 by cynoclub.Young Leonberger Stock Photo ID: 2192241957 by cynoclub.Leonberger Puppy Stock Photo ID: 2233375083 by VeronArt16Two Leonberger puppies. Shutter stock Photo ID: 2294202331 by Olga Shusters.A Leonberger puppy standing in the snow. Shutterstock Stock Photo ID: 2390810457 by VeronArt16.And finally a black and white photo of our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.
Jen O’Keefe, a fellow Leonberger enthusiast and Facebook friend gave me permission to post about her late Leonberger Digory and the fundraiser she started to celebrate his memory.
Digory and Obi, two Leonbergers. Click on the image to visit Digory’s Facebook Page. Photo Jen O’Keefe.
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive type of bone cancer that tends to spread to the lungs. It affects both young and old dogs and appears to have environmental as well as genetic components. But according to the American Kennel Club, research into the disease in dogs is likely to have benefits for children who suffer from it as well.
Digory and Obi. Click on the image to visit the Canine Cancer Alliance Facebook Page. Photo Jen O’Keefe.
Digory was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had his leg amputated 3 years ago. Although he passed a couple months ago, he still made it 2 years and 10 months, which is about 2 years longer than expected. Part of his treatment was a vaccine through Yale that was in early stages of clinical trials. That vaccine has shown great promise in treating both Osteosarcoma and Hemangiosarcoma, and Jen believes it was integral in giving him so much extra time. That vaccine has moved on to the next stage of trials. The Canine Cancer Alliance is helping to fund this next step, so in honor of Digory, Jen created this fundraiser so that more dogs, and their people, can benefit from the extra time.
Digory the Leonberger. Photo Jen O’Keefe.
Through the duration of this fundraiser, Jen will be posting links with more information about the vaccine and about Digory’s journey. Jen hopes that, even though he is no longer with us, he can continue to be an inspiration in the fight against Osteosarcoma. To end dog cancer, through research in prevention and cures. If you wish you can join in the fundraising. Facebook takes care of the donation processing with no fees.
Digory the Leonberger. Click on the picture to visit Digory’s Fundraiser. Photo Jen O’Keefe.Digory celebrating two years passed the amputation. Photo Jen O’Keefe.Digory with friends at the beach some years ago. Photo Jen O’Keefe.
Leonberger Life 