Pet's Age
14 years 6 months

City
Alpharetta

State
Georgia

Pet's Story
Leia came to us when she was 2 months old. My husband picked her from a shelter as a timid rescue dog as a 10th year birthday gift for my elder daughter. Being his first pet, my husband was so happy and his child-self came out completely when Leia came home. Incidentally, being the Star Wars geek, he named her after Princess Leia in the movie!!!

She came home during one of our most traumatic times when I was diagnosed for suspected ovarian cancer. If not for her, God knows either we would have had a broken marriage or maybe something worse. She kept our family together with her lively, interactive and loyal nature.

She used to be the running competitor for both my daughters and their friends. We brought her to the USA from India when she was 5 years old. Even more than my kids, I lost sleep over how to bring her here in those days when nobody had a clear idea of the procedures and rules!

She is very possessive of me, especially, and with my kids. She is now 14 plus years old. But it amazes me even to this day how she understands my emotions so well, more than others. She can have a conversation with me for hours when I am in a good mood literally with a smile in her face. And if I am emotionally down, she seems to understand so well and will sit right next to me as if comforting me.

Another amazing thing is how she fit into our music family so well. As seen in the video, anytime she hears a song she likes she starts singing in tune and happily. Whenever she hears me sing (mostly only with me:-)) a tune which she doesn't like she would just show her back and walk out of that room!!!

The welcome party I receive from her even today whenever I am out and back home is incomparable to anything else! Whether it is a few hours or a few days, she would just jump on me as if she is complaining for leaving her and going. And even if others are at home or she is alone! And would never leave my sight for the next few days as if making sure I am not going to go out leaving her again!

Nowadays even though she cannot hear so well and has cataract coming in her eyes she is still active and healthy otherwise (touch wood!). But we make sure someone is at home most of the time and we don't travel leaving her in a kennel/dog care so that she is not affected psychologically in anyway! It has been a few years since we all traveled as a family to places where pets are not allowed!
I guess I can keep talking/writing so much about her :-) It is really amazing how a pet can change our lives completely.

I have to say we are so blessed to have Leia in our life.



Pet's Best Personality Trait
Very possessive, interactive and lively

Pet's Favorite Thing To Do
Eat and sleep!