Dogs have a remarkable ability to captivate us, and Theo exemplifies that beautifully.
After being left behind by his owner, this senior Chihuahua found himself in a Texas shelter all alone. To make matters worse, he struggled with significant weight gain that diminished his quality of life.
Living in uncertainty, fate had already placed him on the ‘red list.’ However, a year later, everything changed—Theo made everyone proud with his astounding transformation!
Theo’s Journey Was Challenging
For a dog, losing an owner is incredibly tough. When Theo lost his beloved human, he was heartbroken. He reluctantly traded his loving home for the confines of a shelter, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Unfortunately, this senior Chi was running out of time. Having been placed on the red list, he urgently needed a new home.
“He was put on the red list and he had limited time left,” his mom shared with GeoBeats Animals.
When Addison and Brendan from Colorado first spotted Theo’s picture on Petfinder, they immediately fell for him. They swiftly took action to offer this pup a forever home, which became a remarkable turning point!
Initially, Theo was quite lethargic, but he still held a spark within.
“Meeting him was a bit heartbreaking at first. He barely moved and seem really unsteady,” commented Brendan.
The Incredible Transformation
Theo’s adoptive family quickly sprang into action to ensure their new furry friend got the care he needed. After arriving in Colorado, Theo weighed 14.4 pounds.
He was struggling with heavy breathing, seldom barked, and had several health issues. Following a vet visit, he was diagnosed with knee, tooth, and spleen problems, prompting a strict regimen.
Theo was taken off human food entirely. Instead, he was given specialized diet food along with medications and supplements.
Then, his humans began taking him for walks!
Theo initially struggled to adapt to the cold climate of Colorado. Having transitioned from Texas, he was not a fan of the snow and was reluctant to take walks. However, once he began shedding those initial pounds, the true transformation began!
He slowly emerged from his shell, displaying the playful, enthusiastic personality that lay dormant within him. Notably, he even started barking more, which astonished his parents.
Beneath those layers of skin and fat was a little adventurer, now ready to explore!
Snuggling in His Dad’s Embrace
In approximately a year, Theo transformed into a new dog. Despite his age, this little guy lost over a third of his body weight and now weighs just under nine pounds.
“Ideally, our veterinarian would like him to settle between 7 and 8 pounds, but his extra skin also contributes to his weight,” shared Addison.
Now, Theo is enjoying life to the fullest with his excited new family. He goes on walks, embarks on fun road trips, and is always by his mom and dad’s side.
Though his mom previously preferred larger breeds, Theo completely changed her outlook. She can’t imagine life without him now, and has opened her heart to smaller dogs as well.
As for Theo – he’s undoubtedly a daddy’s boy!
Theo simply adores being cradled in Brendan’s arms and lap, almost as if they were always meant to be together. Whether they’re strolling or traveling, Theo makes it a point to stay close to his dad, who reciprocates the affection!
Brendan and Addison are immensely grateful for the chance to have Theo in their lives. Seeing this little guy take off running fills them with emotions.
Reflecting on his tough past, they couldn’t be happier to witness their Chihuahua thrive now.
