**’For Dogs’ Sake’ Presenter Pete Wicks Steps Up for Ailing Mastiff Theo**
Television personality Pete Wicks, star of *For Dogs’ Sake*, has offered to take on the financial burden of medication for a seriously ill rescue dog he met while filming the series. Wicks’ compassionate gesture comes as Theo, a Neapolitan mastiff rescued as a stray, faces an uncertain future due to a severe heart condition.
Theo, currently under the care of Dogs Trust Kenilworth in Warwickshire, was found in a dire state after living on the streets. Since then, his health has become a primary concern for his carers. The large, affectionate dog has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia, a combination which severely hampers his heart’s ability to function efficiently. This chronic illness means Theo may only have a limited time left to live, with the prognosis measured in months or, with luck, a few years.
Wicks, who has built a reputation as a passionate animal lover through his work on *For Dogs’ Sake*, shared his heartache over Theo’s condition. “I’m not ashamed to admit how deeply dogs affect me,” he revealed in a recent interview. “Meeting Theo was overwhelming — he’s a giant, gentle presence, completely endearing.” While the television host openly acknowledges the likelihood that the illness will eventually worsen, he remains committed to making Theo’s remaining time as comfortable as possible.
One main obstacle for Theo’s future is the high cost of ongoing medication, which Wicks has now volunteered to cover. “His treatment is really expensive, and I’ve decided to pay for it myself,” Wicks stated. “It seems a small price to ensure that Theo gets the chance for a happier life for as long as possible.”
Despite developing a close bond with the eight-year-old mastiff, Wicks cannot adopt Theo personally due to the demands of his presenting work. The star’s filming schedule and frequent travel for his role on the U+W network make proper long-term care unfeasible. “It’s heartbreaking to think he could spend his last months in kennels,” Wicks said. Instead, he is using his platform to appeal for a compassionate family to come forward and offer Theo a loving home for his final chapter.
Anyone who meets Theo, Wicks insists, cannot help but be captivated. “He’s a bit clumsy and goofy, with a famously slobbery face, but there’s a gentleness about him that’s so special,” he described. Since coming to Dogs Trust underweight and in poor health, Theo now weighs a healthy 52 kilograms and enjoys a range of comforts for perhaps the first time in his life.
For Wicks, filming *For Dogs’ Sake* has been both rewarding and emotionally taxing. He recounts being moved to tears multiple times during production, particularly when witnessing the struggles and transformations of rescued dogs. “It’s not easy seeing the sadness in dogs that have suffered, but it’s an honour to be able to help bring them joy again,” he told *Radio Times*. “There are around 100,000 dogs in UK rescue centres, yet only a fifth of new dog owners choose rescue — it’s something I hope this series can help to change.”
With *For Dogs’ Sake* set to return for a second and third series, Wicks aims to keep shining a light on the ongoing crisis facing rescue dogs in the UK. Through his heartfelt advocacy, he hopes stories like Theo’s will inspire more people to consider opening their homes to animals in need, ensuring more dogs have the opportunity of a fresh start.
As for Theo, Wicks and the team at Dogs Trust remain hopeful that a family will step forward, willing to share the time and kindness this gentle giant so richly deserves. Until then, he is surrounded by dedicated carers and, thanks to Wicks, will receive the medication that could help lengthen his life and comfort. It’s a poignant demonstration of how one person’s empathy can make a world of difference to an animal in urgent need.