{"id":103,"date":"2025-10-17T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.michellejaypilates.ca\/?p=103"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:28:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T21:28:25","slug":"remembering-leo-lessons-in-love-joy-and-living-fully","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michellejaypilates.ca\/?p=103","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Leo: Lessons in Love Joy and Living Fully"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Remembering<\/figure>\n

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beautiful and loyal dog Leo. He was 14 years old and he filled every one of those years with health play and boundless love. Even in his final days Leo was a picture of vitality reminding me daily of the gift of presence and joy. Saying goodbye to him has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Yet as I sit with the grief I feel called to celebrate the wisdom Leo shared with me\ufffdwisdom that will continue to guide me long after his paws have left the earth. He Lived in the Moment Every morning he walked into our bedroom and stuck his nose in my face I wondered if he was checking to make sure I was still breathing. Leo never worried about tomorrow or dwelled on yesterday. His joy was always found in the now: waiting patiently for our walks around the neighbourhood. Or taking a nap in his favourite chair even the simple act of sitting together. He reminded me that happiness doesn’t live in the future\ufffdit’s here in the small daily moments we often take for granted. Show Up With Love Always No matter what kind of day I was having Leo greeted me with the same enthusiasm. His love was constant unconditional and without expectation. He taught me that showing up for the people we love\ufffdconsistently and wholeheartedly\ufffdis one of the greatest gifts we can give. These last few month’s I’d come home for lunch each day make food and sit with him (many times sharing my lunch with him). It became a cherished routine. No matter when I came home he greeted me every time like it was the best part of his day and he did this for everyone who walked through the front door! He showed up with love. Movement Is Medicine Leo was active until the very end. Walks play and stretching in the sun weren’t just habits\ufffdthey were part of his joyful way of life. He taught me that movement isn’t just about health; it’s about vitality energy and celebrating what our bodies can do. In his early year he was my running partner and boy could he run. Sometimes we let him out of the car close to home and he’d race us home. Looking like a grey hound chasing a rabbit he was incredibly fast. But even though he slowed down with age walking was his daily medicine and it became part of the family functions. Our walks in the forest will be cherished. I had to move my body after we said goodbye it not only helped me process it released my stuck energy. Rest Is Sacred For every burst of play Leo knew the value of rest. Whether sprawled across the rug or curled at my feet he reminded me that slowing down is just as important as showing up. Rest is not a weakness\ufffdit’s a way to restore strength. This past Thanksgiving weekend was all about resting and connecting inward and it left me feeling restored as if knowing the amount of emotional energy I’d need to prepare to let him go. Cuddles and rest with Leo always refreshed my soul. Love Leaves a Legacy Though Leo is no longer physically here his love has left an imprint that will never fade. His loyalty his joy and his gentle spirit live on in the way I move through the world and in the memories we will carry forward with gratitude.;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beautiful and loyal dog Leo. He was 14 years old and he filled every one of those years with health play and boundless love. Even in his final days Leo was a picture of vitality reminding me daily of the gift of presence and joy. 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