PAWsitive thoughts

on a positive note Coco…My First Most Love-A-Bull Dog

By Lexi Leddy – Rye, NH – Owner of Lexi Leddy Real Estate

I got my first dog when I was thirty. It was actually my boyfriend’s idea at the time, and I was wary as I was worried about how much work they were. A friend mentioned adopting an older dog instead of a puppy. I found myself on PetFinder a few days later. What I didn’t know was that a few months earlier our (soon to be) Coco girl was found roaming the streets of Harlem. She was taken into a kill shelter and on the day she was supposed to be put down, an amazing woman in Maine, Chris Pacheco and her family, took Coco in and fostered her for the next few months.

Fast forward to that day I was perusing PetFinder. Coco's photo caught my eye. I have no idea why her photo got to me, but it did. Her description read, "Pit mix - age approximately 3-4 years old." "What…are you crazy,” my boyfriend said when I showed him her picture, and the phrase "pit bull" is what elicited the "crazy" comment. We all knew I was, so I reached out to the contact about meeting this dog!

Chris Pacheco and her family did a home visit a few days later. I had no idea that the plan was to leave her here with us for a trial week. I thought it was just a "meet and greet" and then later we would take her in. After an hour of chatting and Coco playing, Chris turned to us and said, "Okay, so we'll talk to you in a week?" "Oh... you're... leaving her?" "Yes, is that okay?" "Uh... sure."

I didn't have anything for this dog. No food, no blankets, no toys. Nothing. Shortly after they left, I turned to my boyfriend and said, "I need to go to the store. Are you ok with her?" "Uhhhh....." An hour later. I returned with easily $500+ of supplies to make this week for this dog better than anything she'd ever experienced only to find my boyfriend cuddling with her on the couch. "We're keeping her, right?" he asked.

That was ten years ago this past November. An act of kindness by an amazing woman toward a random dog who was supposed to be put down hundreds of miles away, instead led to ten years of immeasurable joy this dog has brought to so many. This random dog has taught me unconditional love, companionship and a deep love of dogs in general. She has proven to be an incredible ambassador for shelter dogs, an amazing ambassador for pitties, and taught me a million other intangible lessons.

We estimate Coco is now about 15 years old. We feel lucky for every day we have with her because we know we’re on borrowed time, but time well spent shows what a saved life is capable of.

PAWsitive Thoughts from Coco

“A random act of kindness saved my life. Try to do a random act of kindness every day.”

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

A big thanks to Lexi Leddy for writing this wonderful article! Lexi, a New Hampshire native, is passionate about her real estate career and has enjoyed educating her clients for over 7 years. She recently started her own brokerage firm, Lexi Leddy Real Estate. Lexi prides herself on her high level of client service utilizing her listening and communication skills and keen attention to detail. She has an innate ability to build trusting relationships while always practicing integrity, honesty and transparency. When not spending time with her clients, Lexi enjoys spending time with her two pittie rescues, Petey & Bub, and writing in her blog, "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" She is also heavily involved in the community, an active member of Portsmouth Rotary, SMART Women's networking group, and is a Co-Founder of Catapult Seacoast, the Seacoast's Young Professionals Networking Group. Second to giving Petey and Bub the life of their dreams, she is most proud of having started her Moving Communities Campaign in 2017 where a portion of her commission for each home sold is donated to a local charity. To date, because of her clients' trusting in her with their real estate needs, over $60,000 has been donated back to their communities. Lexi’s energy and positivity are truly contagious…so writing this article on PAWsitivty is simply a natural for her! Phone: 603-828-2601 Email: lexi@LexiLeddyRealEstate.com

www.LexiLeddyRealEstate.com

Meet Some of the Knowles’ Team… And Their Special 4-Legged Friends!

Don Knowles & Tara Datro

Don Knowles is the owner of Knowles Tree Service and Tara Datro is the company’s customer service manager. They have three adored dogs. Ruby is a 14-year-old Boston Terrier mix. Fouryear-old Georgia is a Pitbull, and Drax is a 19-month-old Pitbull/Siberian Huskey/ Shepherd mix.

A bit about your dogs?

They all are rescues. Georgia came from Georgia from Go Dogs Go Rescue. We got Drax from Paws of New England, and Ruby came from a special family friend who I promised that I would take care of her. What do you love most about them?

They are a huge part of our life, and we are fortunate they are with us every day! They bring us so much love, laughter and are great company.

If they were people, who would they be & why?

They all would be characters from our favorite movie “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Drax would be Star Lord…strong, kind, handsome and protector of his girls. Georgia would be Strong-Serious…a heart of gold and protector of her Ruby. And Ruby, she’d be Rocky Raccoon…sassy, strong, very loving and despite her small size, she is the boss!

Jeremy Salvatore

Jeremy, better known as “Sal,” is a climber at Knowles Tree Service and the proud dad of Suzzie, a fouryear-old Lab/Boxer mix.

A bit about your dog?

Suzzie is a very friendly, intelligent and loving dog. She loves to go on walks and enjoys wondering through the woods. She also loves fetching a ball but sometimes forgets to bring it back. Suzzie absolutely loves people but has a really big bond with toddlers. She will stop in her tracks when she hears the word cheese, as that’s her favorite treat. And we all look forward to nighttime because she loves to hog the entire bed. But that keeps us nice and warm!

What do you love most about her?

She is such a well-behaved dog. And I love it when I get home from work, as she’s super excited to see me and always greets me with extra kisses. She then jumps on the bed and barks until I go in to play with her.

James Hume

James works as a grounds man at Knowles. He has two special Golden Retrievers; two-year-old Toby and one-year-old Wally.

A bit about your dogs?

Toby is the older, fearless brother. They both came from the same parents but are from different litters. Toby enjoys eating and swimming at the lake. His favorite treats are apples! Wally, the younger brother, is a real snuggler. He loves attention and is truly “the baby” in our family. Wally’s favorite treats are blueberries!

Toby

What do you love most about them?

Toby has a goofy, independent personality. Wally loves to cuddle with everyone. They both are friendly, loving and want to be everyone’s best friend.

If they were people, who would they be & why?

Toby would be Kevin McAllister from “Home Alone” because he has the independent, can-do attitude; but at the end of the day really loves his family. Wally would be Winnie-the-Pooh because he loves everyone and is cuddly and kind.

Austin Brown

Austin is the bucket crew supervisor at Knowles and the proud dad of Charlie, an adorable Beagle/ Bulldog mix.

A bit about your dog?

Charlie is funny and sweet. He loves to cuddle while watching TV. He is also very playful and energetic on his walks. What do you love most about him?