Steve D’Aoust was having a rough year. It was five years ago and he was going through a very emotional breakup. While that was happening, his favorite dog, Teddy, passed away.
“I was down for the count for days,” remembers D’Aoust. With his former significant other moving out, D’Aoust mourned the loss of his beloved Teddy alone.
Things did not improve.
“I lost my car,” he says. “I was days away from foreclosure on my home. I lost my job. I went into a very deep depression. I just shut down completely.”
One of D’Aoust’s friends has a Snoodle that had just had a litter of puppies. When the puppies were eight weeks old, D’Aoust’s friend gave him a male puppy to take home.
“He was the definition of puppy,” says D’Aoust. “Being an 8 week old puppy that needed constant care and loving, he literally saved my life. I was forced to feed him, bath him, walk him, teach him…take care of his every need.”
D’Aoust named his new friend Tobi, a name as close to Teddy as he could think of.
“Tobi got me out of bed and back into life again,” says D’Aoust. “I was forced to care about life again.”
His life has gotten better. He saved his home and was featured in WOSU’s Columbus Neighborhoods program for Olde Towne East. He is still working on getting a car, but is fine going without.
Tobi has completely turned D’Aoust’s life around.
“I not only love him to pieces but I love life again,” says D’Aoust. “Tobi is more human then a dog. He is THE definition of loving. He saved my life!”
From March 3rd to March 9th, Columbus Underground is celebrating Pets Week 2014! Throughout the week, we’ll be showcasing the extraordinary ways that pets can change a person’s life, fun places to take your dog, pet related businesses, and more!