Your dog isn’t supposed to die while you’re away on a business trip. That’s all I could think about as I was white-knuckle driving back to Tallahassee knowing my canine companion Leon only had hours to live. I was racing against time to see him again.
My wife called to tell me the news right after I finished a presentation to a large crowd three hours from home. Leon’s odd behavior the previous 24 hours was due to a pair of newly discovered tumors in his lung and throat. His breathing had turned for the worst, and there was nothing the veterinarian could do. Sarah told me the doctors weren’t sure he’d make it to sundown. I went into a state of shock.
While I held it together through the initial dismay and departure from the meeting, as every mile rolled by, I was losing myself in a sea of memories. My team from Revell Media could probably see the tears seeping from under my sunglasses as I kept my eyes on the road. I was in the car driving, but all my thoughts were with my friend of almost 13 years.
Leon has been a constant across the best years of my life, and I was terrified I was going to miss the end of his. My wife promised me that the vets would do their best to keep him comfortable and alive until I could get there. The mile markers moved slowly while the minute hand on my watch seemed to sprint.
Driving with purpose, moments from our years together washed over me. I could see all the walks we had taken across the streets and trails of Tallahassee. The people we met who were curious about his unique labradoodle look. Countless rounds of golf at Capital City Country Club. Sunset boat rides and brisk games of fetch. Yard naps on sunny spring days. Endless evidence of the love our growing family had for him and he for us.
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When I crossed the Leon County line, I almost came unglued. I named my dog for our home county, and he loved to be a mascot for our community. Leon took part in many festivals, markets, parades, promotions and even an ill-fated campaign. He was the inspiration behind crosswalks in Midtown and a familiar face around Cascades Park. Leon helped me fall in love with Tallahassee one step at a time.
I dropped off my team and made it to the veterinarian’s office to find Leon fading fast. The doctor brought me to him, and the dam of emotions I had been holding up for 260 miles broke in an instant. I threw myself over him and cried in a way I didn’t think was possible. His big brown eyes were affixed to me, and all I could do was thank God for this miracle of seeing my boy again.
I got to spend one last hour with Leon before we let him go. I ran my fingers through his wavy gray fur, held his large paws, and sobbed uncontrollably. It wasn’t the last long walk we had envisioned, but I’ll forever be grateful for those gut-wrenching moments.
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Leon was a beautiful soul. I got to watch him live a rich, rewarding life full of love, and he helped me find one of my own. Most of the dreams we talked about came true. Not many pals get to say that.
In our final minutes together, I told him how much I loved him and as his breath slowed, I could tell that he already knew. After a lifetime of running to me, the last thing Leon saw was me running to him. Then again, I guess I always did.
Jay Revell is president & chief storyteller at Revell Media and a co-author of the new book “Here is Tallahassee”.
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