Lee Stuart learned from an early age to respect all creatures through his heritage as a Native American; he also learned what it was like to be an unwanted citizen in this country. Throughout his life, he demonstrated an uncanny knack for understanding and communicating with animals, particularly those that were unwanted. From Teddy the Bantam rooster to Sparky the pigeon, as well as a wide variety of other pets, Stuart loved them all deeply and fought to protect them from ill treatment. The deep bond that developed between himself and the unwanted black Labrador retriever his daughter named Boomer confirms that there is much to the master/dog relationship, which is poignantly demonstrated when Boomer saves Stuart's life in 1996