Layla Connell

Single dad Brent Connell has two women in the house — his beautiful 3-year-old daughter Alyssa and their 6-month-old Brindle Boxer named Layla. Brent , a school social worker at a McCracken County Elementary school, tells us how Layla has changed their lives for the better.

How Brent found Layla.
I found her in the classifieds section of the Paducah Sun. She was in Lake of Egypt, Ill. out in the country. I got her last November.

Why a pet now?
I decided to purchase the animal because I felt like it was a good time. My daughter loves animals, and I wanted to give her an opportunity to have a dog at home.

With the fall break at my job last year, and then the holidays, I knew it would be good timing because I would be home with the dog as much as possible to train her.

How Brent almost lost her:
She got her ears cropped and became very sick right afterward. I was having to force feed her food along with the medicine. We almost lost her because she refused to eat or even go for a walk. It was really tough on myself and on Alyssa, because she always looks forward to playing with Layla when we come home. Layla made a complete recovery and the ears turned out terrific. 

She's a smart one, yes?
She was potty trained in just three months, and she has been able to sit, shake, speak and lay down after a few months, as well. Boxers are so hyper, and they must always get as much exercise as possible.

How'd you handle the potty training?
It was a lot of sleepless nights. When it was cold, I would just have clothes ready so that when it was time to take her out, I could just go. At first, I would wrap her leash around my wrist so when she got up in the middle of the night, it would wake me up and I could immediately take her out. This was very successful, but tiring.

What do you love best about Layla?
I love how wild she is around everyone else, and then when it comes to my daughter, she knows to calm down around her and still be playful but not too rough. She is a little more that 30 pounds now and very strong.

Advice for others considering a pet?
It really depends on what you are looking for. My mom is happy with her beagle — her beagle looks like a butterball turkey. And then there are others like myself who want an energetic dog. It all depends on the situation and what you really want overall. Boxers are great with kids, which is a real benefit.

How has your pet changed your life?
It changed it for the better. My daughter helps me get her to and from her cage when we are coming and going, and she loves doing it. It is just always nice to know that no matter how bad the day gets or how rough life gets, you can go home and have the dog waiting for you without a care in the world.

I have been able to take Layla to the park and get her interacting around children. She just loves kids.

Layla means the world to me. When your daughter is happier to see the dog than yourself, then I think that is saying a lot.

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