This is a story of hope, forgiveness and two dogs who have helped in the healing process during a very tragic time for one particular family. The two dogs are Leo and Ace, beautiful Golden Retrievers who give new meaning to the words “best friends.” 

Meet the Baxter family: Sadia and her three daughters, Sariah (11), Zarah (5) and Sofia (4). Having recently met Sadia and her pooches at the local Bark Park in the Nonahood, she shared her tragic story of how her 26-year-old husband, Officer Matthew Baxter, was killed in the line of duty along with Sgt. Sam Howard in August 2017. Her youngest daughter was only seven months old at the time. We can only imagine how life abruptly changed for this family. 

What is so remarkable about this tragedy is the Baxter family’s quest for healing, including forgiveness for the man responsible for this killing of no remorse. To help with the healing process for her daughters, Sadia adopted two Golden Retrievers and said that their family is now extended by eight feet! First came Leo and then Ace. As a dog owner, you already know how they can be a blessing in your lives, so you can imagine the impact of Leo and Ace on the Baxter household. 

Leo is cuddly with the girls and loves their attention, and Ace is a very loyal companion to all of them. When asking her daughters what they love about the dogs, both Zarah and Sofia say that the dogs snuggle and kiss them, and when they are sad, the dogs come close to them. Sariah, the oldest, feels happy when she gets home from school and they welcome her. They also escort the girls off to school each day. Leo and Ace definitely understand human emotions. 

Although every pooch romping and playing in our local parks has their own unique qualities, it is especially meaningful to watch Leo and Ace and experience a sense of thankfulness for their help with these three beautiful little girls and their mom in the healing process. With lives altered and a new normal for the Baxter family, Leo and Ace are now featured in all “family” photos, and Sadia and her daughters cannot imagine life without them. The always-positive Sadia admits that the household can get very hectic at times, but Leo and Ace have ignited a special joy into the hearts of their family – and I dare say now into all of our hearts as well.