Even if you aren’t a pet owner, simply the thought of an abandoned dog is heart breaking. We don’t deserve dogs and their unconditional love! But it’s a cruel world out there and sometimes perfectly good pups find themselves without a home.
It’s unclear what possessed Theo’s owners to abandon him in a parking lot. He had cancer and was getting on in his years – without much time left in this world.
You would think any compassionate person would want to let their beloved pet live out the rest of his days in peace. But for some reason Theo’s owners were missing that human emotion.
But for every monster in the world, there are even more good-hearted people like Jenny Leech.
She’s has made it her mission to give Theo the best final days possible, even though he’s sick and aging.
You can see by the look on his face that everything she’s doing… is working.
Maybe it’s unlimited access to cozy stuffed animals, or the ice cream?
Theo came into Jenny’s life when he was rescued by Animal Control.
They had received a call about a dog wandering loose in a Walmart parking lot in Joliet, Illinois. From there, he was taken in by BAARK Dog Rescue in Barrington, about an hour away from where he was found.
The experts there knew exactly who to call to give this dog the special attention he needed – and that was Jenny.
She is passionate about helping senior and special needs dogs. She and her husband already care for ten pups, offering hospice foster care which is particularly challenging.
Theo suffers from multiple cancer nodules scattered throughout his abdomen. They don’t know exactly how long he has left to live, but Jenny knows her time with him is limited.
So she’s vowed to make that time count, and since being rescued, Theo is really living it up!
He loves playing with his other family members (both human and animal alike), and became absolutely obsessed with his plush blue octopus that Jenny got him for his first ride home.
It seems they’re inseparable!
Jenny’s Facebook followers fell in love with Theo and his octopus, and were moved by his story.
He quickly went viral! And his fans started offering up some doggy bucket list suggestions.
“People started offering bucket list ideas; someone offered to take him on a boat ride, another took Theo for a ride in his Mustang convertible… it was just amazing,” Leech told WGN.
This is what freedom looks like.
Everyone can see that Theo deserves the world, and wants to support Jenny in showering him with love and joy, no matter how far away they may be.
His viral story has also been an amazing way to raise awareness for how beautiful adopting a senior dog can be. Sadly, they are often overlooked as rescues, but they have so much left to give!
A foundation called Live Like Roo, based in Chicago, supports families who adopt dogs with cancer financially. As it’s usually one of the most daunting aspects of adopting an ailing dog.
When they heard of Theo’s story, they stepped in to help Jenny pay for his care.
The foundation started when Roo, who was diagnosed with cancer, was adopted by two loving parents who wanted to make him a doggy bucket list. They loved him so much they wanted to share their experience and help others do the same.
Roo’s original bucket list is partially what sparked the outpouring of ideas for Theo!
“He came for some purpose. I think people are looking for things and ways to feel good, and he’s giving people that chance.” – Jenny Leech
You can follow his ongoing adventure through Leech’s Facebook page. He really is living his best life.
Just look at this glow up!
This is Theo on his first day coming home, and three months later. The old boy is almost unrecognizable!
Watch the video below for an interview with Jenny Leech and how her life has been since adopting adorable ol’ Theo.
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