Leo is a beautiful Wheaton Scottish Terrier and he came into our lives slightly by accident! It’s a long story but we couldn’t be happier he joined us and his spirit is very much alive and happy.

He’s very different to me but that brings great joy to both myself and the Boss because we compliment one another. 

The Pick Up

The story goes that the Boss took an early morning flight to Sevilla to go and collect little Leo. At the time he was called Preston and was the last puppy to be collected. The Boss was frightened of going to get another dog but we told her gently – there is never a good time! Follow your heart and listen to it carefully because everyone always has an opinion, but is it love or is it fear?

So she did it…

She’s off!

When she landed in Seville she had some time to quickly see the city…4 hours! So she grabbed a tourist bus and explored the beautiful architecture of Seville. She had no idea how stunning it was or how historical. She enjoyed what she could but her mind was too excited about meeting baby Leo!

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Around 5pm, my Boss got to meet Leo. She finished her sightseeing and hoped onto a local bus to Juan’s house.

The Meeting

Leo came from a wonderful breeder in Sevilla, he is also the President of the Club Español del Scottish Terriers. We never thought a Wheaton would come into our lives and Leo at first sight was just perfect.

Normally when you choose a puppy, it’s vital you meet the puppy before taking it home – to see if they connect with you etc. Yet the Boss was afraid Leo wouldn’t like her because she had not met him before that day. How could she think such a thing you ask? Well she lacks in self-worth sometimes but I’m teaching her that worth comes from the inside and trusting in life.

Thankfully he LOVED her! It’s like he knew that it was time for a new home and he also knew that he had an amazing big brother waiting for him in Barcelona…

Leo was born on the 31st December 2017. That’s right, New Years Eve. New life for a new year. That’s how we like to see it.

He was surrounded by 7 female Scottish Terriers when the Boss got there. All of them gorgeous and they ranged from under one year to 12 years old.

The Boss couldn’t wait

to bring him home and she had never flown with a dog before so she felt rather excited and nervous. What happens if he barks? Pees? Cries?

The Airport

After saying goodbye to Juan (Leo’s breeder) and Leo’s home for the last 3 months, she arrived at Sevilla airport. Leo was very tired from all the playing he had just done with the Boss in the garden so that was a good start. The Boss had 3 long hours to wait but Leo was simply amazing. He didn’t cry, he relaxed immediately into his travel bag and he simply took it all in.

An airport is full of noises, distractions and a lot of people wanting to say hello, but Leo didn’t mind. He loved it!

The Boss was on a very full flight and the airline put her right at the back, in the last row, with no window but she soon realised this was perfect. In that little corner she could keep Leo quiet and calm. He went straight to sleep in his bag and didn’t even notice the take off. The Boss was in shock! How could such a little puppy be so relaxed? Juan had said that he makes sure the puppies are very well socialised so they develop a good temperament, and now we can see that Leo benefited greatly from this upbringing.

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On the flight, the Boss snuck Leo onto her lap, wrapped him up in a blanket and they both fell asleep.

The Boss said the moment the flight took off, the name ‘Leo’ popped into her head. She wasn’t sure why but we all loved that name because clearly little Leo has the heart of a lion.

When I met Leo

The flight landed very late but I stayed up knowing something exciting was about to happen…Around 1am, I met my baby brother, Leo!

When we met, it wasn’t too smooth. I am 9.5 years old and having a new puppy coming into my life, wasn’t too easy.

I like my space, as most Scotties do. Therefore, the Boss made sure she did some research on the topic of bringing up puppies and also introducing them to us oldies. She read a book by Paul Owens called The Puppy Whisperer. Paul Owens is a brilliant, positive and alternative trainer because he uses positive training. With patience, persistence and compassion, your puppy has the space to develop into a confident dog whilst you develop a healthy relationship based on trust.

She loves the book and we are still reading it plus Paul has some great videos to watch. As per most dog training methods, it is often the humans that need the training too and Paul instills some very interesting ways of helping the human become a leader for the pack!

There is lots of advice on how to introduce the puppy to an older dog and the Boss did everything slowly, with great care and she didn’t force Leo on me. That was a good decision because babies are really annoying. Yet after a few weeks, she could leave us alone and Leo knew what treatment I needed – well he understood I’m old and need my space.

Leo & I

So now Leo and I are brothers. Leo’s family history is also connected to mine as Leo’s father comes from the same Scottish Terrier lineage as my UK one. He’s half Spanish, half English!

Leo has been a true treasure for the Boss and I. He is intelligent, kind and super cute. He doesn’t eat any of my property but will steal the Boss’ socks on occasion. He follows me everywhere and he does try to play with me but I am teaching him that Scotties don’t do ‘play’…However the Boss makes sure Leo has plenty of play with other puppies, dogs and her! It’s so important they play and if he’s lucky, I might just join in.

First photo shoot

So that is a brief story on how baby Leo came into our lives. We are very happy he did and both the Boss and I look forward to seeing how the little chap grows up and what voice he will develop. I’m teaching him everything I know about being a Scottie and our favourite thing in the world is bringing a smile to people’s lives.

With love and Scottish Terrier humour,

Charlie x

The Book