Pets
UPS driver adopts pit bull along her route after the dog's owner passed
Leo's first owner would be happy to know that her beloved pittie is in good and loving hands.
Caryl Jane Espiritu
12.31.22

Don’t you get excited when a package is delivered to your home?

Pexels - Ivan Samkov
Source:
Pexels - Ivan Samkov

Since the pandemic, deliveries have been more frequent, meaning homes are often graced by delivery men and women. We always see them in the neighborhood so we get to be familiar with them and in the process, create more friends as we get to know them.

As it turns out, not only humans receiving packages are excited to meet the delivery men and women who always bring the packages with a smile. Even pets like dogs are excited whenever these delivery people come by with their trucks!

UPS drivers meet a lot of dogs en route to the delivery assignments so they created a Facebook page where they post pictures of these loveable dogs.

The drivers get to connect with the pets whenever they drop their owners’ packages. They have the chance to play with the dogs and take some social media-worthy images whenever they get together.

One of these connections made is between UPS driver Katie Newhouser and a pit bull named Leo. The woman has been a driver for UPS for 15 years and one of the houses she usually delivers to is Leo’s owner’s house.

Facebook - Katie Newhouser
Source:
Facebook - Katie Newhouser

The dog lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where his owner, Tina, lived.

Whenever Katie would arrive with a package for Tina, Leo would consistently greet her and play with her. Over the years and countless deliveries made by Katie, she and Leo found a deeper connection with each other and the route will not be complete without Katie greeting Leo as well.

“He would hear my truck come into the condo complex and start barking and scratching at the door to come down to the truck. He would love to come into the truck and go into the back to look around,” Katie shared.

Facebook - Katie Newhouser
Source:
Facebook - Katie Newhouser

The dog even recognized him even when they met each other in other places aside from home.

“I remember one day I was driving up one of my busier streets and they were coming down the street and all of a sudden there was Leo popping his head out the passenger side barking at me! He barked all the way down the street!”

Facebook - Katie Newhouser
Source:
Facebook - Katie Newhouser

Katie just came back from a vacation when she heard the devastating news about Tina’s passing.

The woman’s first thought was Leo. The dog was just a puppy when Tina got him, which would have made a very long and strong bond between the two. Losing Tina would surely take a toll on the dog.

“When I found out that Tina had passed away, I was in shock and disbelief. I got to know Tina through Leo. As is the case with many of my customers that I have become friends with, I generally will know the dog’s name before their name,” Katie said.

Without hesitation, Katie called Tina’s son, Cannon, to talk to him about her wanting to adopt Leo.

“I let him know that I would take care of Leo until he returned. They had enough to deal with,” she said.

Cannon is a marine, which made it hard for him to look after Leo as much as Tina did. He eventually decided it would be best for Leo to be with Katie.

Leo was then brought to Katie’s home where he started adjusting to the new environment and the other pets in the house. It was tough, but Katie guide him.

“I do know that Leo missed Tina when he first got here. He would whine at night before he would fall asleep. It was heartbreaking, really. He still does every once in a while. I know he misses her.”

Katie helped Leo adjust to his new home and to the other pets in the house. She knows that Tina would be happy to know that her beloved dog is in good hands.

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