One final adventure: Pet store names toy after famed Crystal Lake golden retriever with bucket list

Last year, a Crystal Lake golden retriever and his blue stuffed octopus embarked on a series of 62 adventures as they crossed off items on the terminally ill dog’s bucket list.

On Saturday, nearly a year since Theo’s death, the dog’s foster mom, Jenny Leech, will attend a 63rd adventure in his honor. A launch celebration is scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Pet Supplies Plus in Crystal Lake, where Theo’s favorite toy has been rebranded in his memory.

Theo died on Dec. 18, 2020, leaving behind a legacy that inspired kindness from strangers and a carpe diem approach to life.

Those who followed his story online will recognize the blue neoprene octopus with an embroidered smile and crinkly arms as Theo’s trusted companion, often pictured alongside the senior dog as he carried out bucket list adventures.

From naps to birthday parties, Theo carried the toy with him always and Leech struggled to get her hands on as many blue octopuses as possible to keep up with the wear and tear. Now, they’ll be available year-round under a new name: Theo’s Octopus.

“The first time I saw it I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this.’ I’m just thrilled,” Leech said.

Pet Supplies Plus rebranded its blue octopus toy, previously available only in the summer, in the dog’s name. The toy now is complete with a tag that summarizes Theo’s story and a website that includes photos of Theo and his octopus, Pet Supplies Plus Key Team Manager Michelle Parks said.

“People are buying them and sending them off to other people,” Parks said. “It’s becoming a really heartwarming thing.”

The launch celebration will include coffee and hot chocolate, doughnuts, and a raffle benefitting local animal rescue organizations.

Theo’s story meant different things to different people. For some time, Leech corresponded with a man from Australia who was diagnosed with cancer and found comfort in Theo’s journey, Leech said.

Recently, Leech received a message and a photo from the man’s partner, notifying her that he had passed away.

“He was there in the hospital bed wearing Theo’s shirt and giving a thumbs up,” Leech said.

Memories of Theo are still painful for Leech at times, but they also bring her comfort.

“It’s pretty incredible,” Leech said. “I think one of the best things that have come about is I’ve heard from several people that it raised awareness about hospice fostering. ... It’s sad that’s he’s gone but you look at the time that he had and it was truly happy.”