Rico
Date of Passing: 05/16/2026
Message to Rico: In loving memory of my dearest Rico, thank you for the best 11.5 years of my life. You came to me at a time that was dark and shined a light bright enough to fill the cracks. I changed my career to animal welfare after you ignited the fire in me. You changed me in ways that are permanent and I will honor your memory every single day. I love you and miss you more than words could ever express and I’d give anything to have five more minutes with you. I hope you’re where it’s always 80 and sunny with all the sprinklers you could ever ask for.
Tell us about Rico: Rico was abandoned in the runs of the Evanston Animal Shelter, left alone overnight at just six months old. At the time, I was a volunteer just learning how to handle the larger dogs. Rico’s stress levels at the shelter escalated quickly and he showed it through constantly drooling and mouthing hard. He was hard to walk and he definitely wasn’t a fan favorite. He would react to dogs, not be able to focus, and was overall a mess. I went to the shelter one day to take a dog on a field trip and the one I wanted was already out so a kennel supervisor recommended I take Rico out. We had the best day. All his stress went away and we were able to enjoy a pup cup and some cuddle time at home. I brought him back to the shelter that day and was determined to find him a home asap.
I eventually brought him home for what I thought was going to be just a night, but that turned into a weekend, which turned into a week, then months, until eventually I adopted him. The challenge came in convincing my mom who was terrified of dogs, let alone ones that looked like Rico.
But he did it. He won the hearts of every single family member. He spent his younger days going for long walks, having play dates with his dog best friend, and tearing up my bedroom. I was a 20-something year old at the time that really had no business having a dog of my own but we grew up together. He was with me through every heartbreak, every up, every down, my first time moving out, we were each other’s entire world.
He loved anything that had to do with water, but especially sprinklers. I’d have to buy 5 every summer because he’d get so excited to play he’d break them. The summer was his favorite season, the hotter the better. He enjoyed car rides, but he loved nothing more than FOOD! Up until his last breath, there wasn’t a snack he wouldn’t eat. He’d eat sticks like potato chips and had adventures of helping himself to pounds of steak, a Bundt cake, Oreos, and so much more.
Rico was a foster brother to a few cats and dogs and even donated blood to try to help a neonate puppy. He loved girls nights with my friends and especially enjoyed when my young niece and nephew were born. They loved him dearly.
Rico touched so many lives and his legacy will forever live on through the dogs I will continue to help and find homes for. He strengthened my dog handling experience and confidence and he was just the best dog I could have ever asked for.