Tower-Fall-2018

FALL 2018 | TOWER 17 R oo, a pit bull who passed away in 2015, after battling bone cancer, was pulled from a shelter in Chicago, Ill., by Sarah Lauch ’98 and a friend when the pair was looking to foster an animal in need for a local rescue organization. He was surrendered by his one-time owner for urinary issues, and his teeth were ground to their nerves, but he passed his temperament tests with flying colors and was a gem of a dog in their eyes. It was when Lauch took Roo in for his dental service that she received unfortunate news: Roo had terminal cancer. With an already dedicated fan following on social media, and personalized hashtag created by one follower: #LiveLikeRoo, the co-fosters were urged by Roo’s fans to create a bucket list for him to live out life in the best possible way. Those who loved him from near and far were happy to offer up ideas. Roo’s owners were happy to document and share his journey. “Roo spent the night at the Waldorf Astoria, and people’s jaws just dropped at the sight of a pit bull there. But they were wonderful. He had a plate of icing (his favorite) waiting in his room,” Lauch said. Also on his list, he was officially adopted by his one-time foster moms. Upon Roo’s passing, his fans wanted to know what would happen with #LiveLikeRoo. So Lauch turned it into a nonprofit 501c3 organization, starting it with her own money at its inception. Today, the Live Like Roo Foundation supports dogs, cats – even a horse! – through a cancer diagnosis. Donors help with medical expenses and/or by sending care packages, which include Roo’s favorite items. These include a blanket, squeaky toys, tennis balls, treats and a gift card to McDonalds for one of his most-loved sweets – ice cream! Also included is a pack of tissues for the pet owner. For Lauch, it’s important to support the owner financially, but maybe even more so, emotionally. “Personal empathy is so important in getting through it,” Lauch said. “And dogs can really read you. The care packages can help and are everything sometimes.” EXPERIENCING EXPONENTIAL GROWTH Today, Lauch says she probably mails 30 packages a week. From January to May, 306 have been sent. In 2017, 715 care packages were mailed and $52,000 in medical donations was awarded. Lauch doesn’t do it alone. Volunteers help read through applications for assistance and organize work events, while she manages social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. No one collects a paycheck. And though others help with events such as the Dog Prom, Bingo and Paint Nights, Lauch tries to attend every occasion. “I don’t say ‘no,’” she said. “I just feel lucky that people have embraced us.” HER OTHER JOB Though Lauch wishes she could run Live Like Roo full-time, she does have a paying full-time job, and quite a successful one at that. She is a 14-time Emmy-award winning executive producer of original content for NBC Sports Chicago. Not surprisingly, the former KU telecommunications major revels in digging into the human elements of sports coverage – her favorite was about a Philadelphia-based soccer star’s role in solving the murder of a homeless woman he had befriended. At home, she and her husband, John, enjoy parenting their two dogs: Cheese, an 11-year-old chihuahua, and Zoey, a 13-year-old beagle/basset hound mix. Lauch also admits they are usually fostering a third dog. Currently sharing their home is Mac the chihuahua (yes, to pair with Cheese), a 9-year-old, three-pounder from Texas being treated for heartworm. It’s no wonder Lauch was recently honored by the KU Foundation for her outstanding service. For more on the Live Like Roo Foundation, visit www.livelikeroo.org , where you can also link to the organization on Instagram and Facebook.