Dog With Cancer, Bucket List Gives Back

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A dog with terminal cancer adopted this past summer by a Crystal Lake family has raised about $2,500 for non-profits. Theo , a 12-year-old golden retriever, along with the help of his foster parents, Jenny and Scott Leech of Crystal Lake, have been checking items off his bucket list and many area residents, organizations and businesses have joined in on their mission to make the pup's days memorable.

Some of his bucket list adventures have involved fund raisers, which have brought in $2,500 so far. On Thursday, a portrait painted by an Cheryl Cook, a well-known sketch artist who lives in Chicago, of Theo sold for $1,000 at auction, Jenny Leech told Patch. Funds have gone to Live Like Roo, a non-profit organization that provides support and financial assistance to families whose pets face a cancer diagnosis, BAARK Dog Rescue in Barrington Hills.

Theo was found this past summer after being abandoned in a Walmart parking and Scott and Jenny Leech decided to take him. When he came home with them, Theo had several masses on his body, including a grapefruit-size lump on his testicles. Scott and Jenny would later learn he had testicular and pancreatic cancer, and due to his age, chemotherapy and other treatments were not an option.

"The oncologist told us six months ago that he doesn’t ever give a time frame expectancy in a case like Theo’s. We don’t know enough about how long he was like this before and we haven’t done further diagnostics to find out specifics on types of cancer he has," Leech told Patch Thursday. "All we know is that ultrasound showed metastasis to prostate and nodules in abdomen. Visually with the sizes of the external tumors, we know he has probably had cancer for some time. "

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The Leeches have been fostering dogs for five years and have a soft spot for elderly dogs and dogs with special needs. They already had two other foster dogs and several other pets when Theo got there. From the get-go, having others, including pets around, seemed to be helping Theo, as his spirits appeared to lift and he didn't show any obvious signs of pain, Jenny Leech told Patch in August.

• Abandoned Dog With Terminal Cancer Has Bucket List

With that in mind, and as a way to make his remaining time as special as possible, Jenny Leech decided to make a bucket list for Theo. Local businesses soon joined in on the fun, and Theo started checking off wishes that only a pup could love, and Theo has been with the Leech family now for over six months and is doing well.

"He has had a couple changes in his blood work that are causing us to have to change up a medication, but overall he’s happy, energetic and wagging his tail a lot," Jenny Leech reported in an email response late last month.

To date, Theo has completed 52 bucket list missions. Here is a look at his most recent adventures:

• He ate the "area’s largest pup cup" at downtown Crystal Lake Starbucks

• He solved a Scooby-Doo mystery with his friends.
• Theo had a beer named after him from Roaring Table Brewery, Theo’s Octopus beer. His stuffed Octopus is his favorite and is actually the source of his first bucket list item.
• He sold T-shirts with his adorable face and octopus on them to benefit Live Like Roo, a non-profit organization that provides support and financial assistance to families whose pets face a cancer diagnosis.
• He was invited to a 5-year-old boy’s birthday party.
• He celebrated Taco Tuesday and rolled in the sand at the beach.
• He met some puppies.

• Dogs 'n Suds in Ingleside reopened for one day so Theo could host a special meet and greet. At the meet and greet, "Elvis" showed up, so Theo got to meet the King. Dogs were invited to the meet and greet in October, and attendees were encouraged to dress in '50s attire.
• Julie Ann's Frozen Custard released a dog ice cream called "Theo's Bucket." Theo was invited to taste test the ice cream, which is a dairy free peanut butter ice cream with bone meal layered with freeze-dried sardines and freeze-dried beef liver. "It will be sold by the pint and a portion of proceeds will go to Live Like Roo Foundation," Jenny Leech said.
• Theo recently had his portrait painted by an artist, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Live Like Roo Foundation.
• He had a song written about him by a Nashville music duo.
• He was a Hot Dogger Du Jour with the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.

In the coming weeks, Theo is going to be getting in the holiday spirit. He will be bell ringing at the Jewel-Osco in Crystal Lake and meeting The Grinch and will be a special guest at a holiday light show home in Carpentersville on Dec. 13, Leech told Patch on Wednesday.

Theo will be at PetSmart in Crystal Lake on Dec. 14 for a "Read to Theo" event. Those wishing to enter for a chance to read to the pup can make e a $5 donation to BAARK Dog Rescue and sign up by Dec. 9. Instructions on how to enter are below.