b'There were just so many requests for help to provide moreexposure for hard-to-adopt dogs, like Leo.In the meantime, bringing a second dog into their familyproved to be more challenging than the Ryans had expected.Soon after adopting Leo, he needed his first surgery for a dis-located hip, followed by a long recovery. A few months later,Leo needed another surgery on his knee, followed by threemore surgeries. Logan often wondered what would have hap-pened to Leo had he not been adopted by a family who had theresourcesandflexibilitytotakecareofhismedicalneeds?Wouldhehavelivedalifeinpain?Wouldhehavebeenreturned to the rescue? Worse? What happens to other dogs inLeos situation?Asteammatesandguysfromotherteamsbecamemoreawareoftheplightofshelteranimalsvia#RyansMonthlyRescue, Logan became known on the footballfield as the dog guy. Humbled by the recognition of his off-field advocacy, Logan knew the people who deserved to berecognized were those working behind the scenes, includingAshley. I saw her love, and support and the actual work shewas doing, said Logan, And realized that I didnt deserve therecognition. The people in the trenches did. Their collabora-tive efforts blossomed into highlighting the people, animalsand shelters.In March 2017, Ryan signed a three-year contract to playfor the Tennessee Titans. The family, including the couplesdaughter Avery and their two dogs, Nala and Leo, moved toNashville. In April of that same year, Ashley and Logan weremarried in St. Lucia, an island in the Caribbean. The day after the wedding, they asked the photographer tofollow them around the town of Soufrire for additional pho-tos. Leaving their resort dressed in wedding attire, they steppedoutside and were struck by the level of poverty and the sheerquantityofstraydogsandcats. Thephotographerassuredthem that the animals were not dangerous, but advised themnot to pet or feed any of them. I said okay, yes sir, Loganrecalled. Then turned around and saw Ashley on her knee, inher wedding dress, getting licked by a dog. The dog followedus around the entire time.At dinner later that evening, the dog was all Ashley andLogan could talk about. The following day, Ashley contactedthe only animal shelter on the island. HelpAWS (Help AnimalWelfare Shelter), a foster-based organization dedicated to res-cuing, spaying and neutering stray dogs and cats, was in direneed of funds to continue operating. The Ryans wrote them acheck, then Logan realized they were live streaming their tripto all of their NFL friends watching at home. They canceledtheir gift registry and asked teammates, family and friends todonate money to the shelter. After the Ryans left the island, Charlene Penney, founderof HelpAWS, found the stray dog through one of the photosthe photographer had posted online, and rescued her. Theynamed the dog Logan, and the money raised enabled them tocover the dogs medical expenses and spay and neuter 11 catsthat were in their care.Dog rescue is with us wherever we go, Logan said.Continued on the following page gwww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 33'