Gunner & Theo - Our 7th & 8th Dogs of Christmas

2025 HOLIDAY MATCHING FUND

"12 Dogs of Christmas - Gunner & Theo"

When we dedicated this year's Holiday Matching Fund, we were excited for you to meet each and every one of our Seniors. Today, Christmas Eve, we are so glad to be able to introduce you to our 7th and 8th Dogs of Christmas, Gunner and Theo.

Gunner has that contagious smile that he loves to share with his friends. Theo, well, he has the eyes of a Teddy Bear that his friends have come to know and love. As we begin to tell you a little about them, we'd ask that you remember the number 8 and the number 1. Those two numbers have such significance to them.

Both Gunner and Theo have a favorite thing to do at the Ranch: hang out with their friends. Gunner goes for walks with his friends like a well-trained dog, calm and composed, and super handsome. He is a compact little guy with a heart and soul bigger than any German Shepherd you will find. 

And toys, oh, how he loves his toys. Throw a ball, and he forgets that he isn't a puppy anymore. He runs and bounces to get the ball, only to bring it back to you so that you can throw it again. Belly rubs, he loves loves loves those. He will lie down for a belly rub, stand up, and lie down again, just so you can give him another. Gunner loves his life.

Like Gunner, Theo loves his friends. He has his special friends, the friends who have gotten to know him, friends that he never in a million years thought he would have. His favorite thing is to be close to them. He loves to see their faces when he trains with them. He loves to surprise them with everything he knows how to do, but he especially loves to lay down and cuddle with them. He loves the soft touch of their hand petting him, the belly rubs that make him wiggle. He loves to get a hug from his really special friends.

Theo loves to play games with his friends, especially with the ball. He has his favorite ball for each game. It has to be just the right size. Theo loves the play yards. That is where he and his friends go to play. If they have a ball in their hand, he can guess the game, and he follows them closely to make sure he can hear when they tell him to sit, watch as the ball sails through the air, and then feel the ground beneath his feet as he sails through the air, feeling the wind. Boy, can he run. We have to make sure he takes it easy. Life before had weakened his body, but he is able to do more each day. Theo loves his life.

One of Theo's best friends recalls the first day that Theo got out of the Freedom Van with his friend, Timmy. He didn't know what Theo was going to do, how he was going to react. What he saw melted his heart. Theo let him take his leash and guide him out of the van to the ground, where he saw a look in Theo's eyes that said, "I am safe now."  

After Theo came to the Ranch, it took two more months before we were able to bring Gunner home, and we were so anxious for that day to come. Like Timmy and Theo, Gunner sniffed the air. He sniffed every flower; he sniffed the ground like it was precious, and it was.

8 and 1, just like Timmy, Theo, and Gunner were promised a forever family, wondering, “Why not me?” They spent over eight years looking at the same four walls, waiting for a family that never came. Theo got to touch the ground each Sunday if the person who wasn't afraid of him had time. How he must have prayed that they had time. 1 day a week, he got to feel the warmth of the sunshine on his fur. He dreaded his time alone. He knew that when he barked too much, the person with the hose would come and spray him in his kennel. He could only wonder, “Why me?” 

For Gunner, it was only when he finally got a trip to the vet and complained when someone touched his neck that they realized he was in pain. He lost 13 teeth that day. 

Like Timmy, Theo, and Gunner grew up behind four walls, never knowing what it was like to have a family. Today, they have a family with Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue, and tonight, when they close their eyes on this Christmas Eve, they will dream of the volunteers who will be coming on Christmas Day just to take them for a walk, to throw the balls, to give the belly rubs, and for Theo, that special hug.

The Holiday Matching Fund makes it possible for us to give Theo and Gunner the care that they need, the home that we have promised them. It makes it possible for us to help all of the dogs we help. The Holiday Matching Fund is our biggest fundraiser of the year. And, while it won't pay for the entire year of costs, the thousands of dollars a month for prescription food and regular food, the medications, the roof over their heads, and everything else the dogs need, it is a significant portion. 

We would like to thank everyone who has donated already. You make life and second chances possible. For everyone thinking of donating, your donation, no matter the amount, will mean a dog has another tomorrow. 

From now until January 1, 2026, each dollar you donate up to $65,000 will be matched. Please help us reach our goal. Please donate if you can.   

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