I received an email from Mandy with an offering of a male leo "Bluemooska Draconous" {Rumble} She felt that he was not suited to their breeding program and wanted to place him into a good home. I must admit that I had some reservations on whether to take him.  After all I was still a little misty eyed over the loss of Chelsea - his full sister.   We discussed in great detail what his temperament was like.  She explained that they lived far from the local town and he was not in a family situation so he was a little quite around people he did not know.  I thought about it for a day or two and decided that he was worth a chance.

He arrived early Jan 2001 and what a handsome man he was too. He was a little Slim, timid but responsive and friendly.  We arrived home and I showed him around his new surrounding's. He was a little dubious but willing to come and seemed to sense that I was OK.   Rumble was not as timid as his sister BUT- he was very, very wary of strangers.

I sought help from Vicki Burton a Vet Nurse and dog behavioral consultant.
She helped with reading his body language and explained about his certain behaviors and how best to help him feel more relaxed.  She was a valuable source of information. She really helped us through his concerns, fears and anxiety's.  It was also in his best interest that he would need to be castrated, much to the disappointment of the breeder but I had no intention of breeding with him. It would also help remove some of his stress and fears.

It didn't take long for me to find Rumble's good points. He would come to me when I went outside. Loved his cuddles, pats any amount of attention. Considering he had not been around children he was great with my 5 y old Boy.
He adored sleeping on my bed - talked to us when we came home - loved his walks. Eventually my regular visitors were able to go outside and he would come up for a pat.  Cautiously but with no great enthusiasm he would allow them to gently stroke his head for a few seconds and that was enough. He improved slowly over the next few months. More so after he had been neutered.

I understood that he would never be a perfect dog nor have the typical Leo temperament. I was willing to cope with the progress he had achieved and happy to accept him as he was.

Through most of 2002 my Son and I went through a great trauma and our lives were in turmoil.  I am sure by his behavior that he was picking up on this and sensed something was wrong! He became more anxious and started to eat less. Not as excepting of regular visitors and lost a bit of weight.

Owing to this up evil in our lives we found it necessary to seek alternative accommodation.  I was rather concerned as to how rummy would take such a large move.  He seemed to have been doing so well and I would hate to see him revert back to his former self.

Again I sought the help from Vicki and asked how best to do the move with a minimal amount of stress for him.  I took her advice and slowly introduced him to his new surroundings and once again gave him a tissue salt that helps with mild anxiety and stress. Kali Phos

In early September we found our new home. Slowly but surely & bit by bit over a period of 2 weeks we took the furniture to the new place.  Each time taking rummy for the drive with us. He seemed to take it pretty well & was only mildly concerned when we didn't return to the old house.  So I thought!

Over the next two months he became more anxious and even aggressive. When we had visitors he would approach them sneakily if they went out the back, almost as if he were stalking them!   This was and never had been a trait of his.
Rummy was clearly not the dog he use to be and seemed very upset. Over the next few weeks he "went for" and nipped four people.

It got to a stage where I felt I could no longer trust him around people. I was feeling rather insecure, I also had concerns for my son!!  I had been very lucky that none of his aggressive behavior had been reported to the authorities.

I spoke to the Vet, Vicki and a few friends - they all believed as I did. The move must have effected him more than we once thought.  The Vet suggested medication, not for a short period of time - but for LIFE!  The other alternative was keeping him kenneled or muzzled.  Tell me would you like to see your Leonberger in any of the above situations?   NO!!! I guessed not.

I could not subject him to this! He was too proud to be a doped mess lying on my porch. Or like a caged lion awaiting his chance to take his stress and anxiety out on an innocent person - maybe even me or my Son! Rummy was no longer the dog I knew. Even I felt nervous in his presence. The worst part was that I felt responsible and still do for his demise by moving.  Unfortunately it was not a decision I was able to stop nor reverse.

After 2 wonderfully happy years with my sweet Rummy. I made the reluctant and heartbreaking decision to have him join his sister.  On the 28th Dec. 2002 I took him alone to the Vet and requested he was humanly destroyed owing to his aggressive behavior.

No-one can possibly know how many tears were shed trying to write his story nor still shed reading it.  He was a good hearted dog that was a victim of unavoidable circumstances.  To this day I still love him dearly.

Rummy I love you and until we meet again my friend.
You May Now Rest in Peace.

5/5/99 - 28/12/02