BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​Despite the wintry wind, Tony Romano and his dog make their scheduled walk every day.

Meet Eichel, a 5 year-old pup that's yes, named after Buffalo Sabres Captain Jack Eichel, hence the Sabres bandana.

What You Need To Know

  • 5-year-old dog named after Buffalo Sabres Captain Jack Eichel

  • Eichel got sick and his owner wasn't sure if he'd live

  • Due to pandemic, Tony Romano, hadn't worked and was nervous if he could pay the emergency surgery bills

  • Romano's daughter set up a GoFundMe to help save her dog's life, and the City of Good Neighbors came through with generosity

"Jack Eichel wasn't even drafted yet and I was like, we are naming him Eichel," laughed Romano, a North Tonawanda resident.  

It's a Romano family tradition - naming the family dog after a Buffalo Sabres player.

"Our first dog was named Shonie, after Jim Schofield," he said.

Very much like how a team becomes a family, that's Romano and Eichel. Due to the pandemic, Romano's DJ business stunted. However, it meant the two grew closer than ever.

A few weeks ago, when Eichel suddenly become very ill and wouldn't eat, Romano rushed him to the animal hospital. He needed emergency surgery.

"They called me with an estimate of what I was looking at. I haven't worked since last March because of the pandemic. I have some savings, but do what you gotta do," said Romano.

The total bill was around $10,000. And there was no guarantee that Eichel would make it out alive.

"I was ready, if i had to sell the house, sell the car, do everything in my power just to have him back," he added.

That's when Romano's daughter, Loren, created a GoFundMe, to help her father with the vet bill, and hopefully save Eichel's life.

"I know everyone is going through hard times and financial burdens and didn't expect much," Loren said.

But the generosity was overwhelming.

"Just seeing how much these people care for our dog too, or maybe it's people being in the same situation," she said.

A happy ending: After a 4-hour long surgery, where a foot of Eichel's intestine was removed, along with some sort of toy.

"We don't know. We think it's a Nerf [toy]. First time I've actually touched it," laughed Romano.

That's something you don't see everyday! Not that you'd want to. 

Now all recovered from his stitches, Eichel is back at it. Well, almost.

"Here is Eichel's little jersey which he wears when not having surgery," he showed.  

A Buffalo story for the ages: a man, his dog, and their loving bond over hockey.

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