Current:Home > InvestRiley the dog gets his final holiday wish: One last Christmas with his family -WealthStream
Riley the dog gets his final holiday wish: One last Christmas with his family
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:45:48
Christmas came early for one family this year thanks to a dog named Riley.
Riley, a senior Great Dane from Oklahoma, was the recipient of a special gift this season year courtesy of the Chewy Claus program. Run by pet retail giant Chewy, the program comes around each year to encourage pets and their owners to write in with their wishes big and small.
While Chewy Claus is also known to distribute the typical toys and treats, a few of the wishes take something more than a sled full of goodies. Like Riley's wish, which was to celebrate one last Christmas with his family.
`The problem was, Riley had been diagnosed with cancer and wasn't expected to make it to Christmas day 2023. So, in order to make his final request come true, Chewy and Riley's family teamed up to bring Christmas around a little early this year.
‘Born again in dogs’:How Clear the Shelters became a year-round mission for animal lovers
One last Christmas celebration for Riley
Riley, an 11-year-old Great Dane from Oklahoma, is already special in that he has outlived the expected lifespan of the breed. Thanks to their massive size, Great Danes generally only live to be 8 to 10 years old, a memo Riley apparently failed to get.
Riley’s family originally sent Chewy Claus a letter when they found out he likely wouldn't live to see Christmas. Five months prior, he had been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and paired with his already advanced age, his owner Courtney Tucker knew her next Christmas would likely be spent without her best friend.
"I decided to write a letter to Chewy Claus because with Riley having cancer, his time is very limited," Courtney said in a video of the celebration. "This is going to be his last Christmas, to experience that last time with him is something that I wanted."
Hearing Riley and Courtney's wish, Chewy Claus put in more work than Courtney could have expected to make Christmas come a little early for Riley and his family.
Bundles of his favorite toys wrapped and addressed especially to him arrived at the family home, along with treats, a 28-oz steak and, for the humans, a painted portrait of Riley to keep and hang up.
"Riley is so special to everyone," said Courtney in the video. "Giving him this experience just means so much not just to me, but every single family member as well."
See the map:Mysterious and fatal dog respiratory illness now reported in 14 states
What is Chewy Claus?
Popular online pet retailer Chewy runs a program each holiday season called "Letters to Chewy Claus," inviting pets to write in - with the help of their favorite humans - and submit their Christmas wishes.
Requests can range from anything to treats and toys to a reunion with a favorite person or a new wheelchair, according to the company. And, for every letter submitted to "Chewy Claus" before December 15, Chewy donates one pound of food to animals in need, up to 200,000 pounds.
Last year, nearly 80,000 pets wrote letters to Chewy Claus, resulting in 80,000 pounds of food donations, according to the company.
"Chewy Claus is making your holiday wishes come true one letter at a time. Send your letter with your holiday list—however big or small—and it might just get fulfilled!" reads the website.
Riley's final Christmas party was made possible by the program, which kicked off the 2023 season earlier this year by granting another wish from rescue pup Blue, who asked to be reunited with his military dad, Dan, who is stationed in another state.
Chewy Claus was able to bring Dan for some quality time with Blue and the rest of the family, promising to fulfill "big and small wishes just like Blue’s" through the rest of the season.
In addition to these big and extra special gifts, the program also sends presents to lucky pets who submit letters through December 15.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Artem Chigvintsev Responds After Nikki Garcia Says He Attacked Her
- MIami, Mississippi on upset alert? Bold predictions for Week 6 in college football
- Man deemed violent predator caught after removing GPS monitor, escaping and prompting 3-day search
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Blowout September jobs data points to solid economy and slower Fed rate cuts, analysts say
- A $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot remains unclaimed. It's not the first time.
- Pete Alonso keeps Mets' storybook season alive with one mighty swing
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Wayfair’s Way Day 2024 Sale Has Unbeatable Under $50 Deals & up to 80% off Decor, Bedding & More
Ranking
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Shaboozey Reveals How Mispronunciation of His Real Name Inspired His Stage Name
- Halloweentown’s Kimberly J. Brown Reveals Where Marnie Is Today
- Bibles that Oklahoma wants for schools match version backed by Trump
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- NASCAR 2024 playoffs at Talladega: Start time, TV, live stream, lineup for YellaWood 500
- Several states may see northern lights this weekend: When and where could aurora appear?
- Las Vegas Aces need 'edge' to repeat as WNBA champs. Kelsey Plum is happy to provide it.
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Katie Meyer's parents, Stanford at odds over missing evidence in wrongful death lawsuit
Opinion: Please forgive us, Europe, for giving you bad NFL games
Wayfair’s Way Day 2024 Sale Has Unbeatable Under $50 Deals & up to 80% off Decor, Bedding & More
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Ariana DeBose talks 'House of Spoils' and why she's using her platform to get out the vote
Ariana DeBose talks 'House of Spoils' and why she's using her platform to get out the vote
Colorado judge who sentenced election denier Tina Peters to prison receives threats