Kelowna dog to be euthanized finds new home

When Theo, a large Newfoundland-cross, was first brought to Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital, he had a gash on a back foot down to the bone after getting caught in a snare or a trap.

Dr. Moshe Oz discussed options to either amputate or attempt to heal the wound, but the treatment options were simply too costly for Theo's owners and they opted to euthanize him.

Instead, the West Kelowna veterinarian took the two-and-a-half year-old pup under the clinic's care and helped him heal his wound.

And for a young Kelowna boy, it was a good thing he did.

After about month in care, multiple bandage changes, laser therapy to encourage cell growth and three cones to keep Theo from licking the wound, the two-and-a-half-year-old Newfoundland was healthy enough to move on to adoption.

Now he has been adopted to a new family, and Amanda Clark is happy to have Theo in their home where he has quickly bonded with her three children, Moses, Joey and Rose.

"We've been waiting for the right puppy for awhile now," Clark said. "Moses is so high need, the idea of getting a puppy is overwhelming. But you also want your kids to have the dog experience."

Moses is 11 and mostly non-verbal, and it wasn't long before the two became friends. Clark said at home recently, she heard her son in another room quietly repeating, "I love Theo. I love Theo. I love Theo."

"(Moses) functions at sort of a two-year-old level and he doesn't have friends," she said. "But when he comes home, he's looking for Theo."

In his new home, the two are growing to be close companions.

Despite his size, Theo is a gentle giant. Clark said that Moses can be rough on animals and cuddle tightly or for too long, but it doesn't bother Theo.

Theo's leg is still healing and they still keep three overlapped cones on his head to keep him away from the wound, but they expect him to heal well and continue as part of the family.

He is so used to the cones that he even uses them to scoop up tennis balls rather than his mouth.

"Theo is lovey, soft and good natured. I never knew dogs could be this chill," Clark said.

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