“No, now is not the time for a dog. Who will walk him?” Stephanie Balboni remembers her husband Michael’s words like it was yesterday. At the time, their children were small, her husband was constantly traveling for work, and adding a pet to the mix seemed impossible.

But life has a way of surprising us. When her husband came home and met their first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Zoe, he instantly fell in love. One dog soon became two as they welcomed Fiona, then three – sweet Leonardo. Eventually, a cat named Chase joined the family as well—adopted after someone at North Shore Animal League carefully interviewed the family to make sure it was the right fit. Elvis, another feline, joined the family later after Chase crossed the rainbow bridge.

So there they were: three dogs, one cat, four children, and a husband who was rarely home.

Now, only Leo remains. At 15 years old, this King Charles Cavalier is still the heart of the household. Stephanie admits she’s already scoping out a possible companion for him. “He needs a buddy,” she says with a smile.

Leo may be small for his breed, but his personality more than makes up for it. He is nurturing and compassionate, always tuned in to the people around him. If someone isn’t feeling well, he’ll sit close, keeping his eyes fixed on them, offering silent comfort. Whether quietly resting or nudging against your legs, Leo makes his presence known in the most loving way.

“He’s a great little gift in our house,” Stephanie says. “He’s very calm and he’s very joyful. He makes us slow down for a minute and spend time  with him and enjoy his little angel heart.”

Like many beloved pets, Leo has his quirks. He insists on sleeping in bed with the family, often pushing them to the very edges while he snores soundly. He has a keen sense of time, always knowing exactly when it’s time to eat. And while he has arthritis in his legs and sometimes resists walks down the driveway, he’s quick to run back to the house when the walk is over—leading the family to suspect the limp may be more for show than necessity.

Through it all, Leo remains a steady source of comfort. Stephanie has always told her children: If you’re having a bad day, hug one of the dogs – they will always offer you unconditional love.” That’s how loving Leo is. His constant companionship brings happiness to everyone who sees this four-legged friend. He’s loyal, lovable, and living his best life here in the neighborhood with Stephanie and Michael.