Tag: Löwenhöhle

Managing Stress for Dog Owners

A professional content writer by the name of Ryan Goodchild contacted me about me posting an  article he had written on how to manage stress for dog owners. The title of the article is “How to Manage Stress Naturally with Simple Daily Habits”  and you can see the article below. Ryan wrote the article and I provided pictures.

Dogs can calm your nerves as well as cause some stress. Our mini Australian Shepherd Rollo chewing up my shoe. Our Leonberger dog Bronco clears tables with his cone. Our mini Australian Shepherd harassing our Leonberger dog and biting his tail. Our Leonberger and our Pug raiding the kitchen and eating the gingerbread house. Our Japanese Chin Ryu and Pug Daisy staging a protest against us travelling. Our Leonberger dog is trying to sit in my wife’s lap.

How to Manage Stress Naturally with Simple Daily Habits

Busy dog owners who are already juggling work, family schedules, and a million small decisions often find themselves struggling with stress management and hoping things will just calm down a bit. The hard part is that stress rarely comes from one big event; it builds from sources of stress like constant notifications, unresolved conflicts, money worries, or even a packed calendar that never resets. Without recognizing stress triggers, it’s easy to treat the noise instead of the cause, and the stress impact on wellbeing can show up as irritability, poor sleep, or feeling stuck in overdrive. Spotting what actually sets stress off turns a vague problem into something that can be handled.

A Leonberger dog with a powerful bite crushing a laptop could be one of many sources of stress. Illustration by Naomi Rosenblatt.

Try Gentle Stress-Relief Modalities

When you can name what’s contributing to your stress levels, it’s easier to choose the right tool for the moment.

  • Breathwork: slow, steady breathing practices that help your body downshift.
  • Mindfulness: simple attention training to reduce mental spirals.
  • Rhodiola rosea supplements: may help support energy levels, mental focus, and resilience to everyday stress and fatigue.
  • Essential oils: calming scents used through diffusion or a personal inhaler (skip skin use unless properly diluted).
  • THCa: a hemp-derived option some people explore; if you’re curious, you can read more about a THCa cartridge.
You can see the paws and bandaged legs of our Leonberger dog on the right. Our mini-Australian Shepherd is standing on the left.
Putting bandages on the legs of our injured Leonberger dog Bronco. This is a stressful situation, but our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is calmly observing and learning.

Understanding Your Stress Response

Stress is your body’s built-in alert system, not a personal failure. The Cleveland Clinic calls it a natural reaction to changes or challenges, and it can show up in your thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you learn your early signals, you can separate “I’m stressed” from “something is wrong with me.”

This matters because stress patterns are often predictable. Spotting your common causes of stress and your most frequent symptoms helps you choose the right support faster and recover sooner. It also keeps you from treating every bad day like a character flaw.

Picture a typical morning: a late start, nonstop notifications, and a tense conversation. Your shoulders climb, your patience drops, and you reach for caffeine or scrolling. That’s your cue to connect the trigger and the response, then adjust. The same pattern recognition can help you notice stress signals in your pets, too.

On the left is a picture of a wolf. The text says “Canis Lupus, the grey wolf is a fearsome and courageous hunter in nature.” On the right is our mini-Australian Shepherd sitting in a stroller. The text says “Canis Lupus familiaris, the dog, a close relative of the grey wolf, is sometimes less brave. This specimen prefers to sit in a stroller when he hears strange sounds.”
Dogs get stressed out too. Our mini-Australian Shepherd get stressed out by strange sounds and when we had a stroller with us, he wanted to sit in the stroller when he heard strange sounds. Unfortunately, this is probably not an option for you.

Calm Together: Reduce Stress for You and Your Dog

Once you start noticing how stress shows up in your body and habits, it’s easier to see how it can ripple out to the beings around you, especially your dog. Dogs are keen observers, and a shift in your schedule, voice, or body language can register as “something’s off.” Calm, family-oriented breeds like Leonbergers often mirror the mood of the home, so when you’re rushed, inconsistent, or tense, they may become more clingy, withdrawn, restless, or reactive.

The good news is that the same steady routines that help you feel grounded can help your dog feel safe. Regular walks burn off nervous energy for both of you, and consistent feeding and sleep times make the day more predictable. Add a little quiet bonding time, sitting together, gentle attention, an unhurried presence, and create a calm space where your dog can settle when the house feels busy.

A pretty dark-haired Caucasian girl in a plaid shirt hugs her cute Leonberger dog, concept of friendship and loyalty
Calm, family-oriented breeds like Leonbergers often mirror the mood of the home. Shutter Stock Asset id: 1741753382 by Elena Podrezenko

Daily Stress-Soothing Habits You Can Repeat

These habits work because they are simple enough to repeat on busy days, which helps your nervous system learn what “safe and settled” feels like over time. Pick one or two, practice them consistently, and let the routine support both you and your home.

Two-Minute Breath Reset
  • What it is: Do six rounds of 30-second deep breathing while sitting comfortably.
  • How often: Daily, or before stressful moments.
  • Why it helps: Slow breathing lowers body tension and helps your mind re-center.
Light-and-Move Morning Start
  • What it is: Get daylight, drink water, and take a 10-minute easy walk.
  • How often: Most mornings.
  • Why it helps: Movement and light support energy, mood, and calmer focus.
Workday Boundary Check
  • What it is: Choose a clear stop time and do a 3-minute tidy reset.
  • How often: Weekdays.
  • Why it helps: A clean ending reduces rumination and protects your evening.
Stress-Smart Plate
  • What it is: Build meals with protein, fiber, and a color, then snack intentionally.
  • How often: Daily.
  • Why it helps: Stable blood sugar can reduce jitters and irritability.
Screen-Free Wind-Down
  • What it is: Put your phone away and do a short stretch or shower.
  • How often: Nightly, last 30 minutes.
  • Why it helps: Less stimulation helps your body shift toward sleep.
A big brown Leonberger dog lying on his back on a leather sofa.
When you are relaxed your dog can relax. This is our Leonberger dog Bronco splayed out on the leather sofa.

Stress-Relief Questions People Ask Most

Q: How do I choose a relaxation technique that actually works for me?
A: Pick the one you will realistically repeat, not the “perfect” method. Start with something low-friction like slow breathing, a short walk, or gentle stretching, then notice what changes first: sleep, irritability, or focus. If you hate a technique, it is okay to swap it.

Q: Why do I feel worse when I try to relax?
A: This is more common than people realize, especially if you have been running on adrenaline for a long time. Try a lighter version: shorter sessions, eyes open, or movement-based calming like walking. If panic spikes, pause and choose grounding actions like naming five things you see.

Q: When I miss a day, should I start over?
A: No, you are practicing a skill, not passing a test. Restart with the smallest version of your habit and anchor it to something you already do, like after brushing your teeth. Consistency over time matters more than streaks.

Q: When is professional support the safest next step?
A: Reach out if stress is affecting sleep for weeks, causing frequent panic, or leading you to rely on alcohol, drugs, or self-harm thoughts. A clinician can help you build a plan that protects both your body and mind. If you ever feel unsafe, seek urgent help right away.

This was a stressful situation. Our Leonberger dog Bronco, wearing a cast chased our neighbor and his Corgis down the street. He was limping badly but wanted a walk so we took him outside just for a little bit. We did not think he needed a leash in his condition, but it turned out he could run. He was not supposed to bump his cast and not chase neighbors either. Illustrations by Naomi Rosenblatt.

Small Habits, Lasting Calm

Managing stress naturally does not require a complete lifestyle overhaul. By learning to recognize your stress triggers, understanding how your body responds, and building a few simple, repeatable habits into your day, you can create more resilience and balance over time. Whether you find relief through breathwork, mindful routines, supportive supplements, or simply creating calmer rhythms for yourself and your family, consistency matters more than perfection. Small daily actions can add up to meaningful changes, helping you navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, energy, and peace of mind.

The Joy of Having a Pet

Esther’s writing prompt: June 3 : Pet

Click here or here  to join in.

I grew up not having any pets even though I really wanted a dog. However, both my parents were working, and my brother and I walked to and from school every day. We stayed by ourselves until our parents came back home. That is not a good situation for a dog or for many other kinds of pets. This all changed after I met my wife. She was used to having dogs and other pets. While we were still students we had an aquarium, hamsters, a rabbit, and a cat. Unfortunately, I was extremely allergic to the cat and I got very sick. Luckily, we found someone who could take care of the cat.

After we got married and had kids we had a couple of aquariums, a pet snake, a frilled lizard, hamsters, and eventually dogs. On one occasion we went fishing in a lake here in Texas. We used minnows for bait. My daughter wanted to take the leftover minnows home and put them in an aquarium. She named all of them Sally. Sally #1, Sally #2, Sally #3, Sally #4, Sally #5, Sally #6, etc. She was very young at the time and did not take care of her Sallys’ very well. She wanted them to have cranberry juice, so she poured cranberry juice in the aquarium. She wanted them to have a beautiful red aquarium, so she poured red paint in it. Well eventually the minnows died.

Freshwater fish Riffle minnow (Alburnoides bipunctatus) underwater photography. Minnow in clean water and nature habitat. Natural light. Lake and river habitat. Wild animal. Underwater photo of fish.
Sally #1 and Sally #2 Asset id: 1182854671 by Rostislav Stefanek

Our first dogs as a family were our Labrador Baylor and our German Shepherd Baby. To be precise, Baylor was a mix, one quarter Rhodesian Ridgeback and three quarters yellow Labrador. They were both rescues that were adopted by our niece (Baylor) and Claudia’s sister (Baby). They were both wonderful dogs. Baylor loved swimming and he was brave and very playful.

Our yellow Lab Baylor is sitting on the left. Our brown-black German Shepherd Baby is sitting on the right.
Our Labrador Baylor and German Shepherd Baby. They were both rescues.

Next, we got a Leonberger dog by the name Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, or Le Bronco, or just Bronco for short. He was a big friendly goofball who saved our Pug Daisy’s life, probably saved Baylor’s life my smelling out an oncoming insulin shock, found and saved run away hamsters, and saved the entire neighborhood by chasing off a trespasser / intruder / peeping Tom. I wrote a book about him “The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle”.

A photo of our Leonberger as a puppy. He is wearing a red scarf.
Our Leonberger Dog Bronco at 3 months old
Our Leonberger Bronco is standing on our red sofa. He is giving me a hug.
Me with our Leonberger Bronco. He was not yet fully grown.
My wife is sitting on a red sofa. Our large Leonberger Bronco is sitting in her lap. He is big and heavy, and she is barely visible underneath him.
Our large but cuddly 167lb Leonberger Bronco is sitting in my wife Claudia’s lap.

Next, we got a Japanese Chin named Ryu and the Pug Daisy. Two little energetic and funny dogs. Ryu loved howling and he sounded like an opera singer. He loved the applause he got. Daisy was a funny girl, and she loved being around Ryu. They did not like it when we travelled and on one occasion they staged a protest. They defiantly sat down in one of the suitcases and refused to move.

Our Japanese Chin is sitting on the left in suitcase and our pug on the right.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu and our Pug Daisy are protesting our travel by sitting in our suitcase. They want to come with us.

Finally, we got our little rascal, the mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo. He is an intelligent, curious, energetic, anxious and spoiled dog that is a chore. He probably understands several hundred words. When we still had Bronco, they were best buddies. He was pestering Bronco, biting his tail and even swinging in it. Luckily, Bronco was patient. When we leave for a little bit, he sits in the window and looks out into the street. When we say “Rollo, go look out the window” he runs to the window. He knows we are leaving. He is our most misbehaved dog, but he is full of life and full of joy.

Bronco is standing behind Rollo. Rollo is black and white and very small. They are standing in front of the kitchen.
Our Leonberger Bronco with our new puppy Rollo, a mini-Australian Shepherd.
our mini-Australian Shepherd on the left, is biting and pulling Bronco’s tail. Bronco is on the right.
Rollo, our mini-Australian Shepherd could be a pest. He loved biting Bronco’s tail and even swung in it as if it was a swing.
The joke in the photos is : Daisy says, “Rollo do you want to hear a joke”, Rollo says “OK”, Daisy says “knock! knock!”, then they both start barking “Woof! Woof! Woof!”, “Woof! Woof! Woof!”
Our Pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd barking at people passing by our house. Notice the joke.

The Joy of Having a Pet

Pets give you unconditional love, company, adventure, memorable moments, hilarious moments, protection, and lots of joy. Playing with them or taking a dog for a walk is good for your health, as this article from the Mayo clinic states.

My Other Responses to Esther’s Prompts

25 Sweet Leonberger and Dog Photos

Today is the third time I participate in Linda Hill’s streams of consciousness. To read about the rules and participate click here, or here. To read my two previous entries (prompt was pre) click here “Prediction Failures and My Lucky Day from Hell”, or here “Reindeer Hide Memories”.

The badge features a twig with rain drops and it says Stream of consciousness Saturday #SoCS
2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley!

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday May 16 is “sweet”. Use it way you’d like. The first rule is: there should be minimal planning and no editing except typos. 

The first thing that came to my mind was how sweet my dogs have been and how many sweet dog photos I have taken of Leonbergers and of our other dogs throughout the years. I’ve also downloaded many shutterstock photos of Leonbergers. I intend to pick just a few of those. So, my stream of consciousness is to randomly pick sweet dog photos from the thousands of photos that I have. I will select 25 photos, but I don’t know yet which photos that will be. Let’s see!

25 Sweet Leonberger and Dog Photos my Quick Picks

This is color photo of our Leonberger puppy Bronco at three months old. He is sitting and staring at the camera. He is wearing a silk scarf.
Our Leonberger Bronco at three months old.
Our yellow Labrador Baylor is on the left and our brown and black German Shepherd Baby is on the right.
Our Labrador Baylor and our German Shepherd Baby. Photo taken at the same time as the photo above. However, we couldn’t get Bronco sit still between Baylor and Baby.
Our black and white Japanese Shin Ryu is on our red sofa. You can see our pug Daisy in the upper left corner.
Our Japanese Shin Ryu when he was young.
Photo of our son David on the sofa holding a little pug puppy in his arms.
Our son David with our pug Daisy when she was a puppy.
The German Shepherd is lying on the floor and the Leonberger puppy is on his back.
Our German Shepherd Baby playing with our 4 months old Leonberger Bronco.
Bronco is standing on our red leather sofa giving me hug and a kiss.
Bronco our Leonberger is giving me a hug. He is about one year old and not yet fully grown.
Two brown Leonberger puppies lying on a wood floor.
Two Leonberger puppies. Shutter stock Photo ID: 2294202331 by Olga Shusters.
Ten Leonberger puppies sitting on a sofa. They are brown with black face masks.
Ten Leonberger puppies. My guess is that they are about two months old. Shutterstock-ID:561107710 by Akbudak Rimma.
Leonberger puppy running through green grass. The puppy has its mouth open, and he is looking straight into the camera.
Leonberger puppy. My guess is that he is around two months old. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.
Two sand colored Leonberger puppies playing in the snow. The play seems to be a little bit rough. Like all Leonbergers they have a black facemask.
Two light colored Leonberger puppies playing. My guess is that they are three months old. Shutterstock-ID: 2141564415 by AnetaZabranska.
Six Leonbergers with celebration hats are looking straight into the camera.
Six Leonbergers and a birthday celebration. Photo by friend Jen O’Keefe.
Seven Leonbergers lying or sitting on the sand on a beach.
Seven Leonbergers by the beach. Photo by my friend Jen O’Keefe.
Five Leonbergers lying in the grass. They are wearing hats showing the American flag.
Five Leonbergers including Digory on 4th of July 2023. Photo by my friend Jen O’Keefe.
Our black and white Japanese Shin Ryu (left) sleeping next to our beige pug Daisy (right).
Our Japanese Shin Ryu sleeping next to our pug Daisy.
Our black and white Japanese Shin Ryu (right) licking our pug Daisy’s ear (left).
Our Japanese Shin Ryu licking our pug Daisy’s ear.
Photo shows a little mini-Australian Shepherd puppy on top. He is looking up at us. Right below him is an English Bulldog puppy.
The day we picked up our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo. He was nine weeks old. The other puppy is an English bulldog puppy.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo is lying on the grass.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo is lying on a blanket.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
The photo shows our pug Daisy on the right and our little mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo on the left. They are on the sofa.
Our pug Daisy and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
The photo shows our big Leonberger on the left and our little mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo on the right. They are in the backyard.
Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
The photo shows our big Leonberger standing behind our little mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
Bronco and our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo.
The photo shows our daughter wearing a pajama and petting our Pug Daisy and mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.
Our daughter with our Pug Daisy and mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo.
Little Rollo is lying in front of Bronco. Rollo is on the left. Bronco is on the right.
Bronco our Leonberger and Rollo our mini-Australian Shepherd.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo is playing with an orange volleyball on the green grass.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo playing with an orange ball.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo (left) is biting Bronco’s tail and pulling on it.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is playing with our Leonberger Bronco’s tail. Once he even dangled in it like a swing.

Finally, if you want to see other 25 sets of dog photos see below (this list I copied from another of my posts).

25 Photos of Leonbergers with Plants Flowers and Trees

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’s head is sticking up above the bushes.
Our Leonberger Bronco in the bushes.
Our Leonberger Bronco standing on grass in front of bushes with flowers.
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 lying on green grass and you can see our brick house in the background.
Our Leonberger Bronco on our front lawn.
Photo of a Leonberger standing on top of a bench and there are trees and a small red cabin in the background.
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.
Photo of a Leonberger standing on top of a bench and there are trees in the background.
Second photo of Amie. Amie and her owner had climbed the mountain.
Five Leonbergers wearing patriotic hats lying on grass by a lake.
This photo was provided by Jen O’Keefe, Urgent Animal Care of Arlington. From left to right; Obi, Delfi, Aslan, Gryphon, Digory.
Photo of a Leonberger standing in snow. In the background there is snowy forest.
Leonberger standing in a snowy forest. Shutterstock-ID: 705193912 by Eric Isselee.
Photo of a Leonberger puppy running in green grass on a field. My guess is that he is around two months old.
Leonberger puppy running in a field. Shutterstock-ID: 629624396 by TOM KAROLA.
A majestic looking Leonberger is sitting on a green hill.
A majestic Leonberger on a grassy knoll. Shutterstock-ID: 731020957 by Peter Josto.
Photo of two Leonbergers swimming in a pond.
Two Leonbergers swimming. Tall grass in the background. Stock Photo ID: 1989806678 by Taibomaus.
Photo of a Leonberger swimming water and there is green tall grass in the background. The Leonberger has a ball in his mouth.
Leonberger swims with a ball. Stock Photo ID: 720242263 by Christian Mueller.
Photo of a Leonberger sitting on snowy ground. There is a lake in the background as well as snowcapped mountains.
Leonberger in a beautiful landscape. There are some grasses and plants. Shutterstock-ID:1333669760 by Britta Paasch.
Photo of a Leonberger and a pug running in snow. The pug is a head of the Leonberger.
Leonberger and pug running in the snow. There is a snowy forest in the background. Shutterstock- ID:1659034960 by AnetaZabranska.
Photo of two light brown Leonberger puppies playing in the snow in the forest.
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.
Photo of a majestic dark and wet Leonberger standing in a river.
Leonberger standing in river. Brush in the background. Photo by Stephanie Lucero on Unsplash.
Leonberger dogs in field of purple flowers saying hello to each other.
Shutterstock Asset id: 450770140 by everydoghasastory
Leonberger puppy in front of white background. His head is covered by flowers.
Leonberger puppy with flowers in his hair. Shutterstock Asset id: 1921825460 by cynoclub.
Leonberger puppy in front of white background. His head is covered by flowers.
Leonberger Puppy with flowers on his head – Shutterstock Asset id: 2154719621 by cynoclub.
Leonberger puppy sitting next to pink flowers.
Leonberger puppy Stock Photo ID: 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma.
Leonberger puppy sitting on a white sofa. On his left is a bouquet of pink flowers.
Leonberger puppy on a white sofa Asset id: 561113224 by Akbudak Rimma.
A Leonberger is sniffing two pinkish-reddish tulips.
A Leonberger is sniffing a couple of tulips. Shutterstock Asset id: 1352450168 by EmmaEEVPersson.
An old Leonberger is lying down. In the background is beautiful nature, plants, and mountains.
Leonberger in nature in Norway. Stock Photo ID: 1779931691 by Britta Paasch
Two months old Leonberger running on green short grass and moss. There is a fallen tree in the background.
Leonberger puppy running on a green grass. There’s a fallen tree in the background. Asset id: 629624387 by TOM KAROLA.
There is also a grass in the background.
Woman and her Leonberger dog on grass. Shutterstock asset id: 1741753382 by Elena Podrezenko.
Majestic Leonberger standing on grass and there is a forest in the background.
Healthy Leonberger posing in front of a forest. Shutterstock asset id: 1474761425 by AnetaZabranska.

Happy Earth Day

Leonberger Dogs with Flowers

Esther’s writing prompt: April 15 : Flower

Click here or here  to join in.

This post features various photos or illustrations of Leonbergers with flowers. The second photo below is our late Leonberger Bronco in the tall grass plants at our in-laws and the rest of the pictures are pictures featuring Leonbergers with flowers that I generated using ChatGPT or Shutterstock photos with Leonbergers and flowers (I have a shutterstock account).

The image shows a Leonberger surrounded by rose bushes. It is holding a pink rose in its mouth.
Leonberger with a rose. I generated this picture with the help of ChatGPT.
A Leonberger is sitting in what looks like very tall grass or bushes, and he is looking towards the camera.
Our Leonberger Bronco in the bushes in front of my in-laws house.
A Leonberger is sniffing two pinkish-reddish tulips.
A Leonberger is sniffing a couple of tulips. Shutterstock Asset id: 1352450168 by EmmaEEVPersson.
Leonberger dogs in field of purple flowers saying hello to each other.
Shutterstock Asset id: 450770140 by everydoghasastory.
Leonberger puppy sitting next to pink flowers.
Leonberger puppy Stock Photo ID: 561111403 by Akbudak Rimma.
Leonberger puppy sitting on a white sofa. On his left is a bouquet of pink flowers.
Leonberger puppy on a white sofa Asset id: 561113224 by Akbudak Rimma.
Leonberger puppy in front of white background. His head is covered by flowers.
Leonberger puppy with flowers in his hair. Shutterstock Asset id: 1921825460 by cynoclub.
Leonberger puppy in front of white background. His head is covered by flowers.
Leonberger Puppy with flowers on his head – Shutterstock Asset id: 2154719621 by cynoclub.
A Leonberger standing in a field of sunflowers.
Leonberger with sunflowers. I generated this picture with the help of ChatGPT.
A Leonberger standing in a field of colorful flowers.
Leonberger in a field of flowers. I generated this picture with the help of ChatGPT.
White Magnolia flower on top of a Magnolia tree. There are also some opened buds in the photo.
And a bonus photo. No Leonberger in this photo. Our Magnolia tree in our backyard just opened up its first flower for the season (lots of buds but they are still closed).

My Other Responses to Esther’s Prompts

Including Your Leonberger in Your Wedding

A professional content writer by the name of Ryan Goodchild contacted me about publishing a Leonberger related post on my Leonberger blog, which I am certainly happy to assist with. The title is “How to Include Your Leonberger in Your Wedding Day with Ease and Joy”. See the article article below. While Ryan did all the writing, I added photos of our Leonberger as well as a few Leonberger stock photos.

The photo tile above includes a photo of me and my wife cutting a wedding cake and a photo of our son and daughter in-laws wedding party. There are two photos of our Leonberger Bronco. One from when he was a three months old puppy and one from when he was 12 years old. There is a shutter stock photo ID:731020957  by Peter Josto, a photo of a woman and her Leonberger dog, asset id: 1741753382 by Elena Podrezenko, and a another photo showing a Leonberger puppy with flowers, asset id: 561113224 by Akbudak Rimma.

How to Include Your Leonberger in Your Wedding Day with Ease and Joy

Leonberger owners planning to include dogs in weddings often feel pulled between the deep emotional bond with dogs and the reality of managing a gentle giant in a busy, unpredictable setting. Wedding festivities with pets can be loud, crowded, and full of unfamiliar smells and schedules, which can raise anxiety and create safety concerns for guests and for large dog breeds at events. Add shedding, heat tolerance, and stamina to the mix, and even well-trained dogs can struggle if expectations aren’t clear. With the right mindset, couples can protect comfort and health while making room for meaningful moments with their Leonberger.

Leonberger dogs in field of purple flowers saying hello to each other.
Shutterstock asset id: Shutterstock 450770140 by everydoghasastory

Quick Summary: Leonberger-Friendly Wedding Planning

  • Plan a dog-friendly role that fits your Leonberger’s temperament, energy, and comfort in crowds.
  • Choose simple, theme-matching accessories that stay comfortable and safe for a large breed.
  • Confirm venue rules and set up a calm, shaded rest area with water and a trusted handler.
  • Prepare for photos by timing sessions well and using familiar cues for calm, cooperative portraits.

Pick Your Pup’s Role: Ring Bearer, Flower Dog, or Photo Star

Leonbergers can be surprisingly steady “wedding teammates” when their job matches their temperament, coat needs, and stamina. Use the musts you already planned, venue safety, a quiet break space, hydration, and a realistic timeline, to choose a role that feels joyful, not stressful.

  1. Match the role to your Leonberger’s comfort level: Start by choosing the easiest job your dog can succeed at, then upgrade only if practice is smooth. A confident, people-friendly Leo may love a short aisle walk, while a more sensitive dog might shine as a “photo star” during a calm pre-ceremony session. A simple gut-check is whether your dog can stay relaxed around applause, rustling fabric, and hugs; a pet’s personality should guide how “public” their role is.
  2. Choose Leonberger-friendly wedding attire that won’t mat or overheat: For big-coated dogs, prioritize soft, wide straps and minimal layers: a lightweight bow tie on a breakaway collar, a bandana that sits above the shoulder coat, or a floral collar made with faux flowers and soft backing. Avoid tight elastic, scratchy tulle, or anything that compresses the ruff, those can tangle and create hot spots. Do a 10-minute dress rehearsal at home, then brush out the coat immediately after to prevent matting.
  3. Try a harness-based ring bearer setup (safe and photogenic): Skip anything that dangles near paws or swings into the chest. Use a well-fitted Y-front harness and attach a small, closed pouch (or lightweight ring box) to the top strap so it stays stable; keep the real rings with your best human. Practice a 20–30 second “walk, stop, sit” routine in the harness so your Leonberger learns the exact aisle pace you want.
  4. Make “flower dog” realistic with a basket-free plan: Many Leonbergers dislike carrying objects when excited, and baskets can bump the chest and restrict stride. Instead, attach a mini pouch of petals to the harness and have an attendant sprinkle petals just ahead of you, or cue your dog to “touch” a decorated sign at the aisle entrance for the same effect. This keeps the job simple while still delivering that flower-dog moment.
  5. Plan a photo-star schedule that respects coat, drool, and downtime: Leonbergers often photograph best in shorter bursts: aim for two 5–8 minute sets, one before guests arrive and one at golden hour, rather than one long session. Pack a “quick reset kit” from your musts list: towel, drool cloth, slicker brush, water, and high-value treats. Ask your photographer for a few action prompts (walk toward the camera, sit-and-stay, “look” cue) so your dog isn’t stuck holding a pose too long.
  6. Assign a dedicated handler and a clean exit route: Your dog should have one familiar adult who isn’t in the wedding party, someone who knows their cues, can spot stress signals, and can leave early without disrupting the flow. Rehearse the entrance and exit route once at the venue, including the potty spot and the quiet break space, so your Leonberger never has to “guess” what’s next.

When your dog’s role is simple, comfortable, and well-rehearsed, it’s easier to troubleshoot the real-life questions, like crowd anxiety, heat management, and what a truly pet-safe venue needs to have.

Puppy Leonberger in front of white background. The puppy is wearing flowers.
Leonberger puppy being the flower dog. Shutterstock Asset id: 2154719621 by cynoclub.

Wedding Day Q&A for Leonberger Parents

Got a few last-minute worries? You’re not alone.

Q: What are some safe and comfortable outfit ideas for dressing my Leonberger for a wedding?
A: Choose minimal, breathable pieces that will not pinch the ruff or trap heat, like a lightweight bandana or soft bow tie on a breakaway collar. Skip tight elastic, scratchy fabrics, and anything that rubs under the armpits. Do a short trial run, then brush the coat to prevent friction mats.

Q: How can I keep my Leonberger calm and happy during the busy wedding day?
A: Build predictability: a quiet retreat spot, regular water breaks, and a handler who can step out before your dog hits their limit. A fear-free approach focuses on helping your pet feel safe, predictable, and understood, which is exactly the goal on a high-energy day. Watch for early stress signals like yawning, lip-licking, or scanning the room, and take a quick decompression break.

Q: What are creative ways to include my Leonberger in wedding photos and invitations?
A: Plan a calm “portrait window” before guests arrive, then capture a second short session later when your dog is refreshed. For invitations and signage, use one clean photo and a simple icon version for small prints, then export everything into a single print-ready PDF using an image-to-PDF converter, including converting PNGs to PDFs online.

Q: How do I prepare the wedding venue to ensure it’s pet-friendly and suitable for my Leonberger?
A: Confirm shade or indoor cooling, a non-slip path, and a low-traffic potty area away from food service. Ask about noise peaks, crowd flow, and any off-limits rooms so your Leonberger is never surprised. Because pet anxiety claims nationwide are up 93% since 2019, it’s smart to plan for lower stimulation, not just “allowing dogs.”

Q: What support can help me plan, including my Leonberger in wedding festivities, without feeling overwhelmed?
A: Assign one dedicated dog handler and give them a simple checklist: arrival time, potty plan, water schedule, photo times, and an exit cue. Do one venue walk-through together, then keep your dog’s “job” short and winnable. If you’re making printed signs, batch your images and notes into one shared folder so decisions do not snowball.

A calm plan creates the joyful Leonberger memories you’ll actually want to relive.

Five Leonbergers wearing patriotic hats lying on grass by a lake.
This photo was provided by Jen O’Keefe, Urgent Animal Care of Arlington. From left to right; Obi, Delfi, Aslan, Gryphon, Digory.

Plan a Smooth Wedding Role for Your Leonberger

Here’s how to move from plan to action.

This process helps you include your Leonberger in the celebration while protecting their comfort, body safety, and stress level. Because Leonbergers are powerful, sensitive, and heat-prone under that gorgeous coat, a few rehearsals and clear logistics prevent overwhelm for both dog and humans.

  1. Step 1: Choose one short “job” and rehearse it. Start with a single, easy role such as walking down the aisle with a handler, a quick greeting, or a photo cameo. Practice in 3 to 5-minute sessions in different places so your Leonberger learns the pattern, not just the location. End each run with a calm reward so the wedding task feels predictable and winnable.
  2. Step 2: Run an outfit and gear test at home. Try the bandana, bow tie, harness, or leash during a normal walk, then check for rubbing under the front legs and around the ruff. Confirm your dog can pant freely, drink water, and lie down comfortably, since those are key stress relievers on a busy day. If anything causes scratching, head-shaking, or stiffness, simplify the outfit.
  3. Step 3: Assign a dedicated pet-wrangler and share the schedule. Pick one person whose only responsibility is your dog, since you will be busy and emotions run high, and assign a pet handler who can advocate for breaks. Give them a simple timeline with arrival, potty, water, photos, ceremony, and your dog’s planned exit. Include your Leonberger’s “no thanks” signals so the handler can step away early, not after your dog is over threshold.
  4. Step 4: Build large-dog safety protocols into every location change. Walk the exact routes your Leonberger will take, and remove slipping hazards like polished floors, loose rugs, and tight corners where guests may crowd in for petting. Confirm who opens doors, who holds the leash, and where your dog waits so nobody grabs the collar or leans over their head. Keep greetings brief and one-at-a-time to reduce jumping risk and prevent stress stacking.
  5. Step 5: Schedule enrichment breaks to reset body and brain. Plan short “off-stage” pauses every 45 to 90 minutes for water, sniffing, and a chew or lick mat in a quiet spot. A few minutes of decompression lowers arousal and helps your Leonberger return to the group with better manners and a softer expression. If you can, arrive early so your dog can take a slow sniff-walk before the energy spikes.

When your Leonberger knows the routine and has real breaks, joy looks effortless and feels safe.

Creating Calm, Joyful Wedding Moments With Your Leonberger

Weddings are busy and sensory-rich, and it’s easy for a big-hearted Leonberger to get overwhelmed or under-managed in the excitement. A comfort-first plan, clear roles, thoughtful pacing, and responsible dog care at celebrations keep the day joyful while enhancing weddings with pets in a way that truly fits your dog. When that mindset leads, celebrating Leonbergers on special days becomes safer, smoother, and more meaningful, creating lasting memories with wedding dogs that everyone can cherish. Choose one job your Leonberger can enjoy, and let comfort set the pace. Pick one meaningful role your dog already excels at and commit to that single assignment for the day. That’s how the positive impacts of pets at weddings support connection and well-being long after the last dance.

The Life and Times of Le Bronco Von Der Lowenhohle Featured on Smorgasbord Magazine

Please go and check it out. Thank you so much Sally.

Smorgasbord Book Promotions 2026 – Share an Excerpt – Boost one of your books – #Doglovers – The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger by Thomas Wikman

National Love Your Pet Day

I was alerted to the existence of National Love Your Pet Day by this post. Because I was busy all day I did not get a chance to post anything until now. However, it is still National Love Your Pet Day here where I live.

National Love Your Pet Day is an annual observance dedicated to celebrating animals. With this post I just wanted to show some photos of our current dog the mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo and our past dogs the Labrador Baylor (mix ¼ Rhodesian Ridgeback), the German Shepherd Baby, our big Leonberger Bronco, or Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle, our Japanese Chin Ryu and our Pug Daisy. We love(d) them all and will forever be in our hearts.

Photos of our Dogs

My wife, opening the trunk of our red van as Baylor, our Labrador is preparing to jump.
My wife Claudia and our first family dog the Labrador Baylor. This was back in the day. Our niece gave us Baylor because she was going to college. In turn she had gotten him from a shelter. He was a mix, one quarter Rhodesian Ridgeback and three quarters Yellow Labrador. He was able to jump up into the trunk of our van. Baylor was my first dog (not my wife’s first dog), and he taught me a lot about being a dog parent.
The photo shows a yellow labrador swimming in the middle of an Olympic sized pool.
Our Labrador Baylor is swimming in Claudia’s parents pool. He loved swimming, and he loved that pool and swam in it a lot.
A dark brown and black German Shepherd walking around in a dog park.
Our German Shepherd Baby at the dog park.
Two dogs looking into the camera. An old yellow Labrador on the left and the dark brown and black German Shepherd on the right.
Our Labrador Baylor and our German Shepherd Baby. Baylor was older in this picture. We had just gotten our Leonberger Bronco.
The photo shows a Leonberger puppy wearing a red scarf. He is looking into the camera.
This is our Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle) at three months old.
Our Leonberger dog is standing on a red leather sofa, and he is leaning over to give me a hug.
Bronco our Leonberger dog was a very affectionate dog.
Three dogs sitting on the floor, a Leonberger, a Japanese Chin and a Pug.
Our Leonberger Bronco (Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle), our Japanese Chin Ryu, and our Pug Daisy in the front right.
Three dogs running. On the left and unknown dog, in the middle a yellow Lab and on the right a Japanese Chin.
At the White Rock Lake dog park. Baylor our Labrador in the middle. He was old in this photo. Our Japanese Chin Ryu on the right.
The photo shows a Pug in the front left and a black and white Japanese Chin in the back to the right.
Our Pug Daisy and our Japanese Chin Ryu.
Our Japanese Chin Ryu is licking our beige pug Daisy’s ear. She is sitting in front of a vent.
Our Pug Daisy often sat in front of vents when she was cold. Daisy and our Japanese Chin Ryu were very close, like a couple. Daisy was obviously grieving when Ryu died, from cancer a bit early at only ten years old. Bronco was grieving as well.
Daisy our beige pug is lying over the back of our beige leather sofa.
Daisy is exhausted after doing nothing for a whole day.
A big Leonberger splayed across a big wide red leather sofa.
Our Leonberger Bronco sleeping on our big red leather sofa.
Our Leonberger dog Bronco is standing in front of me and looking straight into the camera. I am sitting down.
Our old Leonberger dog Bronco is coming up to me. Maybe it is dinner time.
The photos show a cage containing two dogs, a black and white mini-Australian Shepherd and an English Bulldog.
In December of 2018 we picked up our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo. His friend was an English Bulldog.
The photo shows a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy on the floor and behind him is our big Leonberger Bronco.
Our Leonberger Bronco is welcoming Rollo.
The photo shows a young mini-Australian Shepherd puppy and beige pug on a black spotted blanket.
Our pug Daisy and Rollo are saying hello.
The photo shows a dark brown and white mini-Australian Shepherd puppy sitting on a beige tile floor.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo at 3 months old.
The photos show a mini-Australian Shepherd puppy play fully lying on his side in front of our Leonberger Bronco.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd puppy Rollo and our Leonberger Bronco.
The photo shows a mini-Australian Shepherd standing on a chair and having his front paws on the table.
Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo at the table on his seventh birthday. This is a more recent picture, from October of this year.
Two Leonbergers standing next to each other and wearing party headwear typical for a carnival.
Digory and Obi two old sweetheart Leonbergers sending all of your pets their love and sending all of you their love as well. Photo by Jen O’Keefe a friend.

Love Your Pets Every Day

Feel free to add links to your posts about pets in the comments. There is a maximum of two links per comment (how it is set up) so if you want to post many links you need to spread it out over many comments. I am late so don’t worry your comment being late. Any day is fine.

Letting Your Dog Drive the Car

Esther’s writing prompt: February 11 : Drive

Click here or here  to join in.

A photo of a Leonberger puppy wearing a red scarf.
This is a photo of our Leonberger Bronco when he was three months old.
Our Leonberger dog is standing on a red leather sofa, and he is leaning over to give me a hug.
Bronco our Leonberger dog was a very affectionate dog.
On the left is our yellow Labrador Baylor and on the right is our brown and black German Shepherd. They are both lying down and looking into the camera.
Our Labrador Baylor and our German Shepherd Baby. Photo taken at the same time as the top photo above. However, we couldn’t get Bronco to sit still between Baylor and Baby.
Bronco is standing at the kitchen entrance, and our new little dark brown and white puppy is sitting in front of him.
In this photo our Leonberger dog Bronco is eleven and a half years old, and we had acquired a new puppy, a mini-Australian Shepherd by the name Rollo.

One thing all our dogs loved was going for a car ride. The big dogs loved sticking their heads out the window and feeling the wind in their faces. The little dogs loved going places. And they all loved looking at the passing scenery. Oh, the things you can see when you’re “ridin’ in the car, car,” as the Woody Guthrie song goes!

There were some sights that got the dogs especially excited. They would bark if they saw people working on roofs or riding bicycles, for example. They would become even more animated if we got close to a dog park or a McDonald’s drive-through window. (That might have been because sometimes we bought them snacks at the McDonald’s drive-through.)

One time when I was taking Bronco, Baylor, and Baby to the dog park, a car passing me slowed down and started driving right next to me. I looked over, slightly annoyed, and saw that the people in the car were pointing at us and laughing. I was thinking, “What is their problem?” Then I glanced back at the dogs and realized that we did look funny. Bronco was sitting in the front passenger seat with his head close to the roof, looking majestic. Baylor and Baby were sitting in their own seats in the back. They probably looked like human passengers from a distance, but as the people in the car got closer, they realized that the heads weren’t human heads but dogs’ heads and burst out laughing.

I can add that most of the time we put the dogs in the back of our van or SUV but since they preferred to sit on a seat like humans do, we started letting them sit on the seats. If you let them sit on the seats you need to attach them to the car seat latch using dog safety restraint (dog seat belt). Sometimes, the dogs wanted to drive but it is difficult to get a driver license for a dog in Texas. In the picture below Rollo did not really drive the car. I used that photo for an April 1st joke.

Our mini-Australian Shepherd Rollo is driving a car. He is coming back from a visit to grandma and grandpa.

From Pete Springer (see comments) I got this YouTube video featuring 13 funny and cute Subaru commericals showing dogs driving cars.

My Other Responses to Esther’s Prompts

Is it difficult to get a dog driver license where you live ?