A week without Chemo or drama

So Leo didn't go to chemo this week, which was probably a good thing.  The last of the cocktail, doxorubicin, was awful.  He obviously wasn't feeling well by Sunday night.  On Tuesday, he didn't even want to get out of bed, and wound up sick.  The good news is that we're well armed with medicine - anti-emetics, anti-diarrheals, anti-just-about-everything, so that's good, and he's kept his appetite (although apparently even THAT was flagging on Monday and Tuesday and into Wednesday, so that's bad).  But by Wednesday afternoon, he was back to being Leo and when I saw them on Friday they were both super happy.
Leo was in a great mood, and while he didn't have a lot of bouncing-type energy, he was definitely happy to be outside (granted, it was a very nice weekend, cool and mostly dry, so he was thrilled).  We spent some time on a long walk and a lot of time hanging out in the park. 
I spent a good deal of time talking with other owners - Chuck, of Squid and Scully fame, and George, owner of a 4 month old female border collie pup.  Oof, George, you're in trouble.  Leo is quite good with the little ones - although by "good", I mean he keeps them in line gently but firmly. He's quite the good mentor.  It makes me think that, were my situation different (i.e., not living in a 1BR apartment and instead having a backyard, space and/or time), that a young Leo protege would be great - a dog he could teach to make the bed, play with bally, how to sit in the car and how to be a great dog.  Leo's got it - despite his problems with people in the kitchen, he is great at being a dog, doing things that are awesome.
I think about that - the things he does that are his and his alone.  How he makes the bed.  How he rolls in the snow, snorts and rubs his face on the grass, and how he rolls around on your towel after you're out of the shower.  The bally, the way he rolls it around, using his schnoot and paws and rolls is around all the things in the house, and then, when it's empty, brings it to you on the couch or at your desk and drops it in your lap. And his bouncing - when I go see them at Lisa's and he bounces all the way up to give me kisses... it's heart melting.  And knowing what I know, it's heartbreaking.
But again, a lesson from Leo - I think if he knew, if he had a clue what was going on with him, he wouldn't do anything any different.  He's living as a Leo, just like he always has, and just like he will.