Sarah Launch and Kelly Michael stepped in to rescue 5-year-old Roosevelt, affectionately known as Roo, from the Chicago Animal Care and Control when he received a heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal bone cancer.
While they may not know anything about Roo's first five years of life, they are determined to make his next six months absolutely extraordinary.
Upon receiving a call from her friend Kelly Michael, Sarah, who works as an executive producer at Comcast, decided to foster Roo, a decision that would change both their lives.
"We had a feeling something was amiss, but we couldn't quite put our finger on it," Sarah said, her voice filled with emotion. "When she told me he only had six months, I was just shocked."
Without hesitation, they made a pact: "We're going to make these the best six months of his life," they resolved.
The dynamic duo immediately set to work creating a bucket list for Roo, documenting his journey on social media with the hashtag #LiveLikeRoo to inspire others to embark on adventures with their own dogs.
They spared no effort to fulfill Roo's end-of-life wishes, which included therapeutic massages, indulging in Taco Bell treats, and savoring his favorite snack—ice cream.
They took him to Tastee Freeze for ice cream, led him on treks through Starved Rock State Park, and even let him enjoy meat, despite Kelly's initial reservations.
Remarkably, Roo doesn't show signs of illness and remains incredibly active. "During our hike at Starved Rock, we must have covered three miles," Sarah recounted. "And he was the one leading the way. Always eager to forge ahead... you'd never guess he's unwell."
Roo's story has spread like wildfire across the country, capturing hearts and attention everywhere.
"All we want is for people to hear about Roo and his journey," Sarah emphasized. They've inspired others to embark on adventures with their own furry companions, living each day as if it were their last.
"People assume you're sad all the time," Sarah added, "but he doesn't know. Dogs can sense your emotions even before you do."
No one knows how much time Roo has left, so Sarah and Kelly are taking each day as it comes.
"He has no clue he's facing this," Sarah mused. "So, we're just going with the flow and giving him everything he desires. It'll be tough in the end, but for now, we're trying not to dwell on it."
