My Hero Theo
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
‘I’d been in so many scrapes with Theo and he’d always saved me. Those days were the hardest of my life so far and … at the darkest point, those big brown eyes and that torn ear where I needed them to be. Right there next to me.’
PC Gareth Greaves first met Theo, a German Shepherd, when he was a nervous 14-month-old puppy. They were instantly inseparable and police dog Theo became the best partner Gareth’s ever had.
During six-and-a-half years of active service, police dog Theo located, tracked and detained suspects leading to more than 200 arrests. In that time, he endured broken ribs and being bitten by assailants as well as being set on fire. From tackling and detaining an arsonist, to protecting Gareth from a gang of men with machetes in an armed robbery, Theo’s bravery knew no bounds. Time and time again he put his own life at risk (often coming close to death) to save others.
Even while off duty Theo has been a rock to his partner, providing emotional support as Gareth learned that some of the hardest battles aren’t always on the front line.
My Hero Theo is the heartwarming story of one man and his heroic dog – and the bond that sees them go above and beyond the call of duty to keep each other safe.
PC Gareth Greaves is a serving police dog handler with Greater Manchester Police. He and his partner Theo, a German Shepherd, were finalists in The Sun’s Hero Dog Awards in 2018. Theo has been bitten by criminals, set on fire and cut in the line of duty.
After seven and a half loyal years at Gareth's side, Theo retired from the force in 2019 and now enjoys sneaking onto the sofa for some attention and playing with Gareth's seven-year-old daughter Eryn.
Theo's saved Gareth's life on more than one occasion and in a moving dedication to man's best friend, live the bond they share as Gareth learns some of the hardest fights aren’t always in the line of duty.