Three years ago, Brooke Eby — now 36 years old — was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The condition affects motor neurons and the spinal cord, and as it progresses, weakens and atrophies the muscles.
Eby was originally told she had two to five years to live.
The disease has indeed progressed, and she now navigates the world in a wheelchair — and although she comedically and authentically shares her experiences on TikTok, often with a smile on her face — there is one activity in particular she misses doing independently: Walking her dog, Dray.
She adopted her little furry friend when she was 26, and they’ve been partners in crime ever since, especially through her diagnosis.
“We’ve learned to adapt but lately with this big chair, it’s just been impossible to walk him by myself,” she said in a video for Chewy.
Every year, the pet care brand launches its Chewy Claus campaign, where pets and their people can send a virtual letter to Chewy’s version of Santa. Some lucky recipients will have their dreams of toys and bones fulfilled, but every wish contributes to something bigger.
For every letter submitted between now and December 24, Chewy Claus will deliver 5 meals (up to 16 million total meals) to a pet in need through Greater Good Charities.
But the brand also wanted to make Eby’s wish come true this holiday season.
“As her condition has progressed, Brooke can no longer walk her senior rescue dog, Dray. Although Brooke has tried several adaptive leashes, they often tangle in her wheelchair and aren’t designed for Dray’s small size,” Chewy shared in a press release.
“These insufficient leashes have deprived Brooke of one of her favorite activities — taking a walk with her best friend — and the sense of independence it brings. So, when Dray shared his wish, Chewy Claus listened and created a custom solution that allows the pair to recapture that special time side by side.”
Working with engineers at Bold Lead Designs, Chewy made the pair a totally custom adaptive leash to attach to Eby’s wheelchair.
“Hands-free control is really important for people that have disabilities because it gives them a sense of independence,” Katrina Boldry, leash design expert and owner of Bold Lead Designs, told Chewy.
“We made what I call a fastener-free collar, so all you have to do is clip [the leash] onto the chair, slip [the collar] over his head, and off she goes.”
The custom design was a success, and Dray was smiling alongside his mom with pride.
“He caught on so well,” Eby said of Dray’s new leash. “He doesn’t seem to notice a difference.”
“Dray is seeing me be less and less active, and it’s just showing him that I’m still there, still the same leash holder I’ve always been,” Eby added.
“This is one less time I have to ask someone to help me do something I used to do by myself multiple times a day in my normal life.”
In addition to providing Eby and Dray with a custom leash, Chewy Claus is donating $10,000 to Team Gleason, an ALS advocacy organization that helps people live fully alongside the challenges of the disease.
“Chewy Claus celebrates life with pets — from the everyday to the extraordinary. We are especially excited to inspire joy, love, and connection this holiday season,” Orlena Yeung, chief brand officer at Chewy, said in a statement.
“Brooke and Dray’s story is a touching reminder of how pets transform our lives, and Chewy is profoundly grateful to provide support throughout the highs and lows of pet parenting.”
Anyone interested in submitting their holiday wish to Chewy Claus can do so online, now until December 24. Pet parents also have the option to defer receiving a gift and redirect five more meals to shelter pets all season long.
You may also like: Doggy-paddling for good: Conservation dogs save elusive, endangered platypuses via paddleboard
Header image courtesy of Chewy
