Help for Big Jake

Toby Town RVA is a Doggy Daycare and Staycare in Richmond, VA. We met Big Jake (or BJ, as he likes to be called) right after Thanksgiving. BJ's dad had stage 4 cancer and was unable to take care of his dog as he fought for his life in the hospital. Some dear friends of Big Jake's dad were helping him as best they could and trying to take care of Big Jake at the same time. However, Big Jake was spending a lot of time alone in his home and getting more and more stressed due to missing his daddy and the big changes in life as he knew it.

We took Big Jake into Toby Town as a boarder, and he stayed with us for a few weeks. He is a happy, sweet, neutered, 3.5 year-old pit/boxer/lab mix. He likes to play with other big dogs and has a ton of energy. He loves car rides and cuddling with people. He immediately loves every person he meets. He made lots of friends at Toby Town, but he's still missing his dad.

We began a campaign to try and help find him a foster home for the holidays. At that time, his dad's friends were not ready to find him a permanent home yet as Big Jake's daddy was still battling his illness.

Sadly, this past weekend, Big Jake's dad was taken off life-saving measures and put on palliative care. The hospital allowed him his dying wish, to be reunited with his dog. Big Jake was brought to the hospital to say goodbye to his dad. Having gotten to see his dog, his last wish, Big Jake's dad removed his oxygen mask and passed away with his loyal dog by his side.

Big Jake is now looking for a new home and the friends of his dad are trying to settle his estate, using money from their own pockets. At this point, he has found a home that we are hoping may become permanent, but we want to continue our efforts to help.

Many of the Toby Town clients reached out upon hearing this story and wanted to offer financial help. We have started this Go Fund Me page as a way for them, or anyone else interested, to donate to help this dog, his potential new caretakers, and the amazing friends of his father who have been shouldering this burden for so long.

If anyone would like to help, we will make sure this money gets to them. We will also keep you posted on Big Jake's progress on his journey towards finding what we hope will be a new forever home and loving family.

Thank you all for considering helping these worthy people and this amazing dog. In honor of his father's last wish, we want to make sure Big Jake lives a happy, safe life.

Happy Holidays and thank you again!