Leo is approximately 4 years old and currently weighs only 43 pounds.  His foster is feeding him nutritious food to help him gain some more pounds so that he will be at a healthy weight.  

Like so many dogs, Leo's story is a sad one.  Leo spent most of his life with a caring and loving owner who regularly took him to the vet and kept him inside (which is not typical for dogs in the south).  Once Leo's owner had to move into a senior residence, he entrusted a friend to care for his beloved dog, Leo.

Long story short, that "friend" kept Leo chained up outside without food and water.  You can see from one of Leo's pictures that he was, and still is, skinny when he was rescued.  He was taken to a shelter, but the shelter protocol is to euthanize dogs that are there for more than 3 days.  Leo was pulled from the shelter in the nick of time.  He's been to the vet and, unfortunately, is heartworm positive.  We are treating the heartworm in TX, but he will be available to come to the NJ area once his treatment is over.

Leo is described as a wonderful, fairly calm boy, though he does have the occasional puppy burst of energy.  He can be a bit protective of his food, but that is understandable since he was skin and bones when rescued.  He is very friendly with one of the dogs he was introduced to, but he's now having to be kept away from all other animals, per heartworm treatment protocol, so he can rest for 60 days after receiving his first heartworm injection.   

Please help us find Leo a new, stable home.  He must have been so confused, going from the love and safety of his original owner to being tied up and ignored outside.

• Personality: friendly, affectionate, fairly calm with some puppy energy
• Good with: people, and dogs - has not been with young children or cats yet
• Training: knows the command for 'sit'
• Estimated date of birth: approximately 4 years old
• Weight: 43 pounds as of 2/5/26 but needs to gain some weight
• Medical: vetted, up to date on vaccinations, neutered, microchipped, and being treated for heartworm
• Location: Currently located with a foster in Texas, but if adopted, will come to the NJ area on our next transport (once his heartworm treatments are done). 

If you have any questions please email: info@ friendsforlifeanimalrescue.org

To apply to adopt: https://form.jotform.com/210286667669167

We always need fosters, please join us!  https://form.jotform.com/210257395409155

Many other dogs need our help, please consider donating or sponsoring a dog, if possible.

100% of all money received from adoption fees and donations goes directly back to support saving other dogs and cats in need.  FFLAR is a 501c(3) non-profit.   We appreciate your support!

Venmo: @friendsforlife-animalrescue   OR   Zelle: fflpetrescue@gmail.com

To donate monthly, please use this Zeffy link.  Note: Please be aware that the “give tip” on the second step is checked by default.  The tip goes to Zeffy (not to FFLAR) and you can opt to uncheck it.  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/763f3cec-69ef-4806-96f6-831021b48466?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL4hbtjbGNrAviFoWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEegHYYwrs5iSMcVVCL-43MA3M6nyqs867FuBqqghj5UXZQjQUoL0h2beNQOdI_aem_rFEk_Kbb7rp9XSLUut_hyw