Putting Our Pets in the Spotlight (and Supporting Live Like Roo)
Team Orso in
Agency Updates 4 min read • 4w ago
They snore loudly in the background of our video calls, show up uninvited in meetings, and remind us to step away from our screens and back into the real world. They’re part of the Orso team — cute, loyal, endlessly entertaining — and long overdue for a proper introduction.
And because we love them like family, we’re also putting our support behind a cause that does the same. This month, we’re proud to donate to Live Like Roo, a nonprofit that helps families navigate one of the hardest moments a pet parent can face: a cancer diagnosis.
Live Like Roo: An Inspiring Dog and Cause
Since 2016, the nonprofit Live Like Roo has helped more than 30,000 families cover their pets’ healthcare costs. The charity is named after Roosevelt (Roo), a rescue dog who was diagnosed with bone cancer and adopted when he only had a few months to live. Despite his diagnosis, Roo lived every day to the fullest and packed in plenty of adventures with his adoring human.
“I crossed paths with [Live Like Roo founder] Sarah in the Chicago sports scene over a decade ago,” says Vince Amatuzzi, Orso’s founder. “I remember when she adopted Roo and was taking him on all these bucket list adventures, sharing his story along the way. To see that act of compassion turn into an organization that gives so much comfort to both pets and their people during some of their toughest times—it’s impossible for me not to want to be a part of it.”
Meet the 4-Legged Friends Who Keep Us on Our Toes Every Day!
Chi Chi & Leo (Nia)
My Tabby cats, ages 2 and 3, decided that they were going to be rivals the first day they met, so there’s never a dull moment over here. I’ve been trying to get them to be besties for almost two years now, but they have zero interest in peacefully co-existing. Thankfully, the cuteness makes up for the sassy cattitudes!
Roux (Vince)
Roux (like butter and flour) is a 3-year-old French bulldog who greets people with her butt and can’t control her wiggles when she gets excited. She enjoys short walks on the beach (which is her favorite trigger word) and goes crazy for chicken, salmon, and anything resembling whipped cream.
George & Liffey (Brigid)
Ages 12 and 10 (we think), these two are hard to capture on camera! Liffey loves, loves, loves affection and will get right up in our faces for it, and then without warning, will bite or scratch whoever she just demanded pets from! George loves bed time and tries his best to start corralling us into bed around 8pm. When we first got George as idealistic 20-somethings, we thought we could socialize him to be really friendly so we took him to friends’ houses, walked him outside on a leash, and brought him along on cross-country trips. He even went camping once. This totally backfired and he’s now the scaredest, most shy cat you’ll ever meet.
Watson (Carly)
Watson is a 1-year-old Irish Terrier with LOTS of energy. Pair that with his terrier traits, and we certainly have our hands full!
Eddie Van Halen (Justin)
Eddie, age 4, often sounds like an actual human child! Whenever he’s looking for us, he wanders through the house with the funniest meow. It actually sounds like he’s saying “Hello???” He has massive paws, with the cutest tufts of fur between his paw pads. Eddie loves belly rubs and watching out the window for birds and squirrels. Sometimes when he curls up on the couch, we think he looks like a chicken nugget!
Sebastian, Hippo & Oliver (Krista)
Sebastian was once a neglected, mange-ridden rescue puppy. Now? A sweet, pillow-sharing legend who’s helped raise 60+ foster pups.
Hippo was born in a litter of 14 puppies. First to open her eyes, now sleeps 23 hours a day.
Oliver is a rescued Flame Point Siamese who plays fetch and brings live snakes into the house. Not a typo.
Olive (Kelly)
While Olive is no longer with us, she was a beloved companion, sidekick and best bud for 18 years. In her heyday you could find her strolling the streets of Wrigleyville in Chicago like she owned the neighborhood. After the pandemic, she sought out the quieter life and fresh air of Grand Rapids, Michigan where she spent the rest of her days exploring nature with her family.
Roo’s Enduring Legacy
Over the last nine years, Live Like Roo has provided more than $3 million in financial grants to help families and their pets cover cancer-related vet bills. They also send custom care packages for pets in need, including cozy homemade blankets, toys, treats, and a Roo-inspired bucket list. (While they mostly help dogs, the charity has also supported cats, rabbits, ferrets, and horses!)
If you’d like to join us in helping the Live Like Roo Foundation, there are plenty of ways to give, including making a donation, buying items from their wishlist, or showing your support with Live Like Roo merch.
We hope you’ll consider joining us in helping pets in need to live like Roo!