According to his doctors, Georgia resident Andrew Kuzyk has only one year to live. However, before he leaves, his most cherished wish is not for himself but for Champ, the precious dog who helps him face his daily battles against multiple types of cancer.
More than anything, Andrew wants Champ the Chihuahua to have a wheelchair because his furry best friend was born without front legs. So, to make Champ’s life easier, the proud dog dad has been working to raise money to buy Champ a wheelchair. But a recent surprise from retailer Chewy changed everything.
A bond that is “meant to be”
After a car accident left him with a headache, Andrew underwent an MRI. He received a cancer diagnosis, but he wouldn’t be the only one.
“I am what they call an anomaly,” Andrew told 11Alive. “Stage four brain cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, bone tumor in my leg.”
And the treatments are expensive, Andrew explains: “We lost our house in Arizona and had to sell almost everything. We had to pay for all the drugs and stuff.”
But Champ keeps Andrew going.
“There’s just something about when he’s on my lap and when I snuggle up against him, it’s like a divine feeling,” Andrew shared. “As if he was meant to be with me. I guess because I’m a broken soul and he’s a broken soul.”
“I don’t know what my mentality would be if I didn’t have, if I didn’t have Champ.”
Unexpected surprise makes the last wish come true
And despite all the love and support Champ has given Andrew’s life, he wanted to make sure his son would be taken care of when he was gone. Since Champ was born without front legs, he jumps to get around, but that takes a toll on the poor pup.
“Not having front legs is very, very hard on his back. It is more difficult to find a wheelchair for the front. It breaks my heart.”
Despite his illness, Andrew and his wife Pamela have been working hard to raise money for a wheelchair for the Champion. But after her interview with 11Alive, correspondent Savannah Levins surprised Andrew with a video of Colman Muñoz performing Chewy Gives Back.
In the video, Carlos explained that online retailer Chewy had heard Andrew and Champ’s story and “wanted to help.”
“We know that you have been working very hard to secure the necessary funds to purchase a wheelchair for Champ, and we wanted to take that burden off your shoulders,” Carlos said. “We’ll get him a front-support wheelchair, toys, treats, and a few other goodies for Champ.”
Upon receiving the news, Andrew was moved and shared, “This is the best thing anyone has ever done for us. I don’t even have the words.”
Thanks to Chewy’s generosity, all of the funds Andrew received to purchase a wheelchair can now be used to pay for Andrew’s medical bills.
Keep up with the “unstoppable” champion El Chihuahua on Facebook.
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Featured Image: Pamela Anderson via GoFundMe & Champ The Chihuahua’s Page I am unstoppable/Facebook
