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'What's One More?' Westwood Family Saves Life Of 6th Pet

WESTWOOD, N.J. – Two years ago, Lucille Nardello got a call from the head of a Westwood animal rescue group asking if she could look through a list of dogs at a high-kill shelter in Kentucky.

Theo, Eos and Hera -- who barely made it into the picture -- use Ken Nardello as their own couch.

Theo, Eos and Hera -- who barely made it into the picture -- use Ken Nardello as their own couch.

Photo Credit: Lucille Nardello
Theo and the elderly F. Scott say hello.

Theo and the elderly F. Scott say hello.

Photo Credit: Peace4Paws Facebook
Clockwise from left, Lucille Nardello, Theo, Hera and Eos keep elderly F. Scott, at the bottom, company. He's now too old too make it up the stairs.

Clockwise from left, Lucille Nardello, Theo, Hera and Eos keep elderly F. Scott, at the bottom, company. He's now too old too make it up the stairs.

Photo Credit: Lucille Nardello
To Theo's left is Eos; Hera's to the right.

To Theo's left is Eos; Hera's to the right.

Photo Credit: Peace4Paws Facebook

Long story short, she said yes ... to all of it. And she named him Theo.

"He didn't have a name yet, and he had six hours to live," before he was scheduled to be euthanized, Nardello told Daily Voice. "He looked so skinny and so scared."

Nardello describes Theo – no longer scrawny – as the love of her life. She and her husband have seven pets altogether, six of which are rescues.

Theo may be a Catahoula Leopard Dog, named after a parish in Louisiana and their strange coat markings, which sometimes appear as blotches of color. They're traditionally hunting and herding dogs.

"He is an absolute love; he's so good with people," Nardello said. "But they have a terrible reputation, in terms of getting along with other dogs." 

After taking Theo for a walk, she introduced them to the other pets one at a time – "and the rest is history."

Nardello is officially the recording secretary of Peace4Paws, the rescue that brought Theo to New Jersey.

Peace4Paws works to find forever homes for retired research animals, surrendered pets and rescues from high-kill shelters. Volunteers are needed, to foster animals, help out with doggie exercise or appointments, and help with community outreach.

"We have a very good core group," Nardello said. For more info on how to join that group, click here.

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