Erica Gass
Fundraising on behalf of Live Like Roo Foundation
Fundraising on behalf of Live Like Roo Foundation
$1,147.26
Raised
15
Donations
$1,250
Goal
In Loving Memory of Jeb: A Lovable Boxer Who Touched Our Hearts
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I wanted to share our story of our beloved boxer, Jeb. He brought immense joy and love into our lives with his chatty, funny, and lovable personality. Jeb was a bigger boy, more than likely asleep most of the time, but always wanting to be in your face just to make sure you knew he existed. Unfortunately, early in life Jeb suffered from a stroke in his rear legs that rendered him incapable of walking for more than six months before he regained his ability to find his new normal. We were faced with a tough decision the night he had the stroke, but we knew our boy was a fighter. My husband and I carried him up and downstairs of our townhouse every day until he could regain his strength. We knew we’d have our boy back, but he was never truly the same after that incident.
We tried to make the rest of his years as comfortable as possible. One of my fondest memories of our boy was when he got to see the ocean for the first time. He HATED the waves. He would get close and then tear off to get away from them. He loved to sit by the ocean. He was truly happy. Two years later, he was starting to grey in his mushy face, get a little slower, but he was still his happy self. We knew our days were numbered with him since the stroke. One night he stopped being his happy boy self. He wouldn’t drink water, eat, or really show any normal emotion. We had to take him to the ER. I was unbelievably upset. I had gone through a pregnancy, learning how to be mom, he was there for my son’s first steps, he was there for everything for nine years. I couldn’t bear the idea that it was the moment we had to say goodbye.
In that ER room, we were told he had cancer. A cancer he couldn’t fight. I wished at that moment every pain my dog had felt his entire life away. I hate cancer. I hate what it does. I hate how it takes ahold and never let’s go. I hated that my boy had to feel this pain. My husband and I were beyond sad that we had to make the decision to say goodbye. I felt so alone after we said our goodbyes.
And with that I’d love to announce that I am representing Live Like Roo for the 2024 Chicago Marathon. The Live Like Roo Foundation started in 2015 when a shelter dog named "Sisqo" captured the heart of Sarah, our Executive Director. When he was rescued and renamed "Roosevelt" (Roo) and undergoing a medical exam, they found cancer. It was terminal. He was given a bucket list and lived like a king for 6 months. Many people followed his journey and Sarah was inspired to help others in his honor. Since 2016, we have granted over $2.3 million dollars for pets and rescue animals with a cancer diagnosis and sent 5500 cancer care packages. We hope that everyone, sick or not, lives every day like it is your last. Live Like Roo.
All proceeds will go towards Live Like Roo, a cause that resonates with the compassion and warmth with families who love their puppies as much as we do when they learn of their diagnosis.
Donor Wall6
Sue | $52.23
Jennifer OHearn | $52.23
Rachel | $26.41
Jenna | $25
Erica | $104.15
Lisa | $104.12