Posted on Sunday, June 15th, 2008
Everything changed for Brian Lenton when a small, pudgy, bundle of loving Labrador Retriever wormed his way into Brian’s heart. Boomer, as Brian named him, entered his life at a very critical time. Brian was serving time for murder when he was paired with Boomer.
This puppy was the turning point for this man who felt worthless and guilt ridden. Although Boomer and Brian are not together anymore, the powerful loving bond that they shared continues to effect Brian in positive ways. It’s as if Boomer is sitting on Brian’s shoulder, urging him on and giving him strength.
“It seems kind of silly,” he shares, “but I’ve just never had nothing like what Boomer gave me… you know…that unconditional love. It amazes me how something can so dramatically turn your life around. I do credit the Warden and the Psychologist for helping me turn my life around-but especially Boomer. He just unlocked some buried emotions. My whole life was just so dysfunctional. I tried to turn it around in prison with college and all that, but Boomer helped me with a lot of emotional things that I had kept hidden. I used to treat him like a baby, you know-I loved him and I know he loved me”
Boomer was just seven-weeks-old when Leader Dogs for the Blind brought him to North Creek Correctional Center in 2002. At that time, it was a very new prison dog program. Just as Maggie, the prison program’s very first trainee puppy graduate was leaving; three more puppies were brought into the prison. One of those adorable, blueblood puppies with potential, was Boomer. And that encounter changed Brian’s life.
Boomer is now faithfully serving and guiding Brent-and is a loved member of Brent’s family. Brian is out of prison and has since suffered a major debilitating aneurysm-but still keeps in touch with Boomers new family.
Tags: Boomer, Leader Dogs for the Blind, North Creek Correctional Center
