Michael J. Fox has a new “best friend” at the age of 61, and it’s not what you might think—he adopted another dog.
The new addition to his family was made official when Michael announced the dog’s arrival on his Instagram account with the message: “Hey Blue, welcome to your new home!”
Blue arrived in their lives almost two years after the passing of Michael’s beloved dog, Gus. Gus had been with Michael J. Fox for over a decade until he passed away in 2021 at the age of 12.
Gus was more than just a pet; he was considered the “second son” and “fifth child” who provided Michael with the support he needed, especially in light of his health struggles. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the young age of 29 in 1991, Michael has faced ongoing challenges with day-to-day activities.
Despite these struggles, Michael has had the love and support of his family and Gus. Reflecting on their bond, he said, “I didn’t rescue Gus. You can argue that he rescued me, but he’d be too modest to make that claim. You know that no matter your situation, no matter what you feel, this animal is with you and is connected to you, and you feel.”
Michael expressed immense gratitude for the emotional support and companionship Gus provided. “Your instinct when you have a chronic illness is to sometimes isolate and make your world as small as possible so you don’t have much to deal with, but a dog will open you up,” he shared.
Morning walks in Central Park with Gus often led to people stopping to talk to them. Michael joked that people were more interested in meeting Gus than him. As a tribute, his wife Tracy Pollan gifted them with a Central Park bench with a plaque reading “For Mike Fox and Gus. True New Yorkers,” which later served as a memorial for Gus.
Michael fondly recalled a standout memory with Gus. In 2018, after undergoing spinal surgery to remove a tumor from his spinal cord and having to relearn how to walk, Michael returned home in a wheelchair. Gus greeted him with a comforting presence, circling the wheelchair and giving a reassuring “woof woof.” Michael remembers telling Gus, “It’s going to be okay.”
The loss of Gus was devastating, but Michael cherishes the great memories they shared. Gus’ passing hurts, but it’s comforting to know that their bond was filled with love.
Now, Michael is ready to share that love with Blue. His Instagram post about Blue has received more than 700,000 likes and over 7,000 comments, showing that this puppy is already adored by many. Fans have even noted Blue’s resemblance to Einstein, the dog from Back to the Future.
This heartwarming story reminds us that the love you give is the love you receive. Watch more about Michael and Gus in the video below.