What is Lei Lei’s Legacy
Late into the night of September 11th , 2024 we sat on the couch holding our sweet Leia, knowing these were the last few hours we had with her on this earth. At only 9 ½ years old it felt unfair that we had to put her down so soon. We had spent the previous 10 months taking her to every vet and specialist that we could find, and yet, no one seemed to be able to come up with a diagnosis for her. While we did everything in our power, it still felt like we had failed her because we weren’t able to find a cure or even diagnosis for her. Once we accepted the fact that this was all out of our control, we knew that we had to put our energy and emotion into something to keep her love alive after she was gone, this wasn’t going to be her end.
After the idea was born to keep Leia’s love alive, it was a pretty immediate and natural fit to start a nonprofit called “Lei Lei’s Legacy” and we quickly started working on all the legal documents to secure the name and properly register Lei Lei’s legacy in her honor. The next part was probably our biggest challenge, how were we going to make an impact and be successful? What were causes that needed the most attention? Where could we make the biggest difference? Where would the money go? How could we guarantee our donors that 100% of their donations would go directly to helping other dogs and dog families in need? It quickly all felt very overwhelming, and we knew that if we wanted this to be a success and have legs to grow over time, we would need to partner with other shelters and organizations which were already established (at least for the time being).
First we reached out to Texas A&M, after all, that was the last vet that we had taken Leia to and they had performed the necropsy after she died. To our disappointment, they were not able to connect us with anyone who had research about diseases that needed support or areas we could help unless we wanted to donate directly to the university. Next we reached out to our primary vet and were pleasantly surprised when not only did they share our excitement over starting Lei Lei’s Legacy, but they provided a list of non-profits who were also excited and eager to help us get started. We quickly learned that dog lovers embrace other dog lovers and are eager to help and support however possible.
After a decent amount of networking and learning about different organizations, we finally found the segments within a few organizations that resonated with us and felt true to the spirt of Leia. We decided to partner with Hearts and Bones to transport shelter dogs from Dallas Animal Services into foster homes, as well as, Dallas Pets Alive to put terminally ill shelter dogs into loving foster homes to live out their last day! We are excited for this journey and can’t wait to start making a difference for other dogs and dog families through Leia’s love!
Meet Leia & Us
We are Jon and Megan Foster and we had the great privilege of being Leia’s parents and now have the honor of founding LeiLei’s Legacy.
Leia’s Legacy: A Story of Love, Loyalty, and Resilience
Leia’s journey began in July 2015 when she was found alone on the streets of Dallas at just six months old. She had already faced hardships, but her resilient spirit shone through. The shelter named her "Sassy," and though her new mom wasn’t sure she would adopt her at first, there was something about Leia’s face that made it impossible to walk away. On adoption day, as she sat in a cage at a Plano PetSmart, she was the smallest dog in the room—but as soon as she met her soon-to-be brother, Lando, she proved she was mighty. The moment she walked into their lives, she marched up to Lando, took charge, and with a little swat to his face followed by kisses, she made it clear: they were now a family of three.
Leia settled into her new home quickly, but her past was never far behind. While she loved people, there were reminders of the life she had lived before—she was noticeably frightened when walking past homeless individuals and would pull to go the other way. It was heartbreaking to imagine what she had endured before she found her forever home. But in her new life, she was safe. She was loved. And she was in charge.
A Fierce Protector with a Soft Heart
By her first birthday in March 2016, Leia had established herself as the alpha of the household. She kept a watchful eye on everyone and made sure Lando and her mom were always protected. No one entered the house without Leia announcing herself first, but just as quickly as she warned them, she welcomed them—curling up next to anyone who was willing to pet her or rub her belly.
Her birthday became an annual celebration, always tied to St. Patrick’s Day, the day fitting for her strong and lucky spirit. Decorations filled the apartment, with streamers and balloons marking the occasion, though she quickly made it clear that too many decorations were a bit overwhelming for her. Over the years, the celebrations continued—scaled back slightly but always filled with love.
Finding Her Family
In January 2020, after years of watching her mom date different men, Leia finally found someone worthy of being her dad. The moment she met Jon, she stretched her little paws up on the pen, as if reaching out to be held. It was a moment that felt special, though, in time, it became clear that Leia simply loved to be held by anyone willing to give her attention. Still, Jon was different. She had chosen him, and their bond only grew stronger from that day on.
In March 2023, life took an unexpected turn when Lando was diagnosed with aggressive mast cell tumors. The fear of losing him was overwhelming, and vet visits became a near-daily occurrence. Through it all, Leia remained the rock of the family—the “healthy” one, the constant source of comfort. Then, on April 23, 2023—her mom’s 38th birthday—came the best news imaginable: Lando’s cancer had not spread. That experience served as a reminder of how short life can be, especially for dogs, and it became a mission to make every day count.
A Shift in Fate
Leia had always been the one who never got sick, the one they didn’t have to worry about. But by July 2023, that luck ran out. It started with a small bump on her back leg, and after everything they had been through with Lando, there was no hesitation—she was immediately scheduled for surgery. The bump was removed, and treatment began, but as the months passed, more unexplained symptoms started to appear.
By the end of 2023, the signs of decline were undeniable. Her ears developed scabs, her vulva became inflamed, and despite seeing multiple vets, no one could figure out what was wrong. She was never in visible pain, but something wasn’t right. In March 2024, a family getaway for Leia’s birthday became a moment of realization—she was slowing down. A swollen wrist led to vet visits and biopsies, but no answers. More swelling followed, then difficulty moving. Still, through it all, Leia remained her sweet, strong self, accepting every treatment with patience, never resisting the care she was given.
The Final Fight
By June 2024, the downward spiral became impossible to ignore. She started blinking excessively in one eye, leading to yet another specialist, another treatment, another round of hopeful waiting. In July, she traveled to Wisconsin for a family reunion, but she wasn’t herself. She stayed close, opting to snuggle instead of exploring. Despite the best efforts of yet another trusted vet, her mystery illnesses remained unsolved. But hope remained—an appointment was scheduled at Texas A&M in August, a place known for its expert veterinary team. If anyone could help Leia, it was them.
But by the time the appointment arrived, Leia’s body was failing. While in Chicago for her niece’s first birthday, her mom got the call from Jon—Leia wasn’t doing well. It seemed like she just missed her mom, but when she returned, it became clear that this was something more. Leia struggled to breathe, coughing and gagging after drinking water. They tried steam therapy, hoping it was pneumonia, just needing time to clear. But deep down, they knew.
At Texas A&M, the specialists confirmed the worst—her pneumonia was severe, and her heart was failing. They ran tests, hoping to stabilize her, but there was little to be done. They brought her home, hoping for more time, hoping for a miracle. But in the following weeks, Leia’s condition only worsened. She could no longer stand to go to the bathroom. She couldn’t sleep through the night, crying in discomfort. Calls with the vet became a daily ritual, seeking guidance, but the reality was setting in.
A Goodbye Filled with Love
By September 2024, the heartbreaking decision had to be made. On September 11th, they took Leia for one final vet visit, one last hope for another miracle. But even the vet, who had fought alongside them, broke down in tears. There were no more options, no more treatments that could bring her back to the lively, feisty, loving dog she had always been.
Leia took her final breaths at home, in her favorite sunlit spot, on her beloved reindeer bed. Surrounded by the love of her family, she left this world peacefully, knowing she had been cherished every single day of her life.
Her Legacy Lives On
Leia was more than a dog—she was family, a protector, a best friend. She was fierce yet gentle, strong yet affectionate. She taught patience, resilience, and the importance of unconditional love. Though she is gone, her spirit remains, woven into the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know her.
Her story is one of love, of finding family in unexpected places, and of the unbreakable bond that only a dog like Leia could create. Her legacy lives on in every moment shared, in every memory cherished, and in every act of kindness done in her name.
Leia was a fighter, a lover, a legend. And she will never be forgotten.
