Dog Owner with ALS Gets Christmas Wish to Go on Walks Again with Her Pup Granted Before the Holidays

Dog owner with ALS fulfills her holiday wish to go on walks with her dog again

Brooke Eby and her beloved senior Chihuahua, Dray, received an early Christmas gift that warmed the hearts of many. In 2023, at the age of 33, Eby was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Despite the challenges she faced, Eby shared her journey with ALS on social media, adopting the mantra of “Live life in dog years.”

Upon her diagnosis, Eby felt the urgency to make the most of every moment, inspired by Dray who lived each year joyfully. Dray, Eby’s loyal companion for a decade, brought light, comfort, and laughter into her life amidst the difficulties of battling ALS. Unfortunately, the progressive nature of the disease took away their shared joy of going on walks together.

Adapting to her changing abilities, Eby tried various methods to continue walking Dray, but it became increasingly challenging and even hazardous with the progression of her ALS. Eventually, Eby had to stop joining Dray on his walks, missing their special bonding time immensely.

Upon learning about Chewy Claus, Chewy’s initiative to fulfill pet wishes during the holiday season, Eby and Dray decided to reach out in the hope of regaining their cherished walks. Dray’s heartfelt letter to Chewy Claus expressed their simple yet profound wish to stroll together again, evoking a compassionate response from the Chewy team.

Moved by Dray’s plea, Chewy collaborated with Bold Lead Designs, a company specialised in creating products for service dogs, to develop a leash that could safely connect Dray to Eby’s wheelchair. The innovative spring-loaded leash extension, custom-made for Dray and Eby’s unique needs, now allows them to once again enjoy walks together comfortably and securely.

The success of this custom leash not only granted Dray’s wish but also opened up possibilities for other wheelchair users with pets. Bold Lead Designs and Chewy are exploring ways to make similar adaptations available to enhance the independence and activity levels of more individuals and their furry companions.

As part of fulfilling Dray’s wish, Chewy generously donated $10,000 to Team Gleason, a foundation supporting ALS patients in maintaining connections with their pets. The positive impact of the new leash was evident as Dray quickly adapted to it, and Eby felt a renewed sense of independence and joy in their shared walks.

Eby expressed her gratitude for the support, highlighting the profound impact of this simple yet significant change in their daily lives. The successful collaboration between Chewy and Bold Lead Designs not only brought joy to Eby and Dray but also paved the way for improved accessibility for pet owners facing similar challenges.

The heartwarming story of Brooke Eby and Dray serves as a reminder of the power of compassion, innovation, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets. Through the generosity and creativity of Chewy and Bold Lead Designs, a simple wish turned into a life-changing experience for a devoted dog owner with ALS and her beloved furry companion.