Com a fundador de The Great Animal Rescue Chase , tinc el plaer de conèixer centenars d'herois increïbles, però aquest em va agafar desprevingut. Se us posaran els cabells de punta mentre llegiu la història d'aquest home i d'aquest gos que es van recollir una i altra vegada. Assegureu-vos de buscar l'enllaç al final de la història per veure més fotos. Que algun dia tots tinguem l'oportunitat d'estimar-ho profundament...
Per Don Hill de Geòrgia
Vaig estar a Augusta, Geòrgia, on havia estat durant diverses setmanes netejant la casa de la meva mare després de la seva mort recent com a conseqüència de nombrosos problemes de salut i complicacions. Aquest diumenge, el meu darrer dia allà, quan estava a una hora de marxar per tornar als contraforts de les muntanyes del nord-est de Geòrgia i els meus cinc gossos de rescat a gairebé quatre hores de distància, vaig sortir al pati davanter per donar una última ullada a la casa dels meus pares i vaig veure al pati davant el que semblava un gos molt vell que estava en una angoixa evident. Caminava en semicercle, després caia a terra, després es posava dempeus i ho tornava a fer. El vaig veure fer això mateix almenys tres vegades mentre em vaig acostar a ell.
Aquest havia de ser, amb diferència, el meu rescat més fàcil perquè aquest pobre vell no estava en condicions de fugir de mi, però també el més desgarrador. Aquest home trist i no castrat estava en la pitjor forma de qualsevol gos que hagués vist en els meus molts anys de rescat d'animals. Estava demacrat, deshidratat, el seu ull dret estava inflat i tancat i el gat drenant, les dues orelles estaven greument infectades i també drenant, el seu cos estava cobert de nafres obertes, estava infestat de puces i les ungles davanteres tenien gairebé quatre centímetres de llarg. Totes les seves dents estaven desgastades al mateix nivell que les genives, suposo que per anys de mastegar un cable o una cadena utilitzada per confinar-lo i els coixinets dels seus peus estaven molt desgastats i tallats.
Quan va veure la meva ombra, es va esgarrifar i va caure a terra com si estigués a punt de ser colpejat.
Quan em vaig acostar a ell, no semblava sentir-me apropar-me, però quan va veure la meva ombra, es va esgarrifar i va caure a terra com si estigués a punt de ser colpejat i es va acostar. Em vaig asseure a l'herba amb ell i el vaig acariciar i li vaig parlar suaument fins que va deixar d'enfonsar-se, intentant assegurar-li que mai més ningú li tornaria a fer mal i que el seu patiment s'acabaria. Volia demostrar-li que no tenia res a témer de mi.
Vaig estimar la seva edat en més de 10 anys; el veterinari que el va atendre més tard va determinar que tenia uns 15 anys. El vaig agafar en braços i el vaig portar a l'aparcament on tenia un petit remolc ple de coses de casa de la meva mare que em portava amb mi. Hi havia menjar sec per a gossos i uns bols d'acer inoxidable per a gossos en una de les caixes, així com unes mantes i tovalloles velles, així que li vaig fer un llit i el vaig posar-hi mentre barrejava una mica de menjar sec amb aigua per suavitzar-lo, sabent que li costaria menjar-lo d'una altra manera amb les dents en l'estat en què es trobaven. però intentant reforçar una mica la seva força i portar-lo a casa on l'endemà el matí el podia portar al meu veterinari i acabar amb el seu patiment humanament.
Portar en Roadie a casa, va posar el cap sobre la meva cuixa
Deixar-lo mai va ser una opció una vegada que l'havia trobat. Li vaig fer un llit al seient davanter del meu Jeep, el vaig agafar i el vaig posar a sobre. Vaig enganxar el remolc utilitari i vaig començar el camí cap a casa preguntant-me si aquest nen que ja dormia profundament tornaria a la granja. A pocs quilòmetres de la carretera, va aixecar el cap i em va mirar amb l'únic ull marró gran que podia obrir com per dir-vos les gràcies, després va posar el cap sobre la meva cuixa dreta on va romandre tot el viatge a casa i es va tornar a dormir.
Va tornar a la granja amb mi, on el vaig dormir còmodament en una parada buida del graner, amb ganes de mantenir-lo aïllat dels altres gossos d'allà fins que el pogués portar a l'oficina del veterinari l'endemà al matí. El vaig portar a l'oficina del veterinari i el vaig posar a la taula de la sala d'exàmens, amb l'esperança de permetre que el veterinari enviés aquest pobre vell dolç a un lloc millor. Va obrir el seu únic ull bo i va allargar la mà i em va tocar amb la seva pota i vaig saber en aquell moment que aquell pobre noi em trencaria el cor.
L'examen veterinari. Què trobarien?
El meu veterinari el va examinar i quan va acabar em va dir que les infeccions de l'oïda eren les pitjors que havia vist mai i que estava gairebé segur que aquest vell estava totalment sord com a resultat. Vam parlar de tots els problemes de salut i em va preguntar què volia fer. Em va dir que ara mateix no veia res dolent que no es pogués tractar i que sentia que el gos es podia recuperar completament sense massa estrès ni dolor i tenir una bona qualitat de vida, però em va advertir que a causa de la seva avançada edat, encara que haguéssim decidit tractar tots els seus problemes, aquest nen potser només li quedava sis mesos o potser un any i depenia de mi. Em va veure dubtar mentre mirava amb menyspreu aquest pobre vell que havia trobat i després em va dir: "Anem a fer-li una prova de cuc del cor. És massa vell per rebre tractament. A veure si és positiu o no i després podràs decidir". Vaig dir d'acord. L'havia anomenat "Roadie" perquè aquell dia el vaig trobar, era obvi que havia estat a la carretera una estona.
Mentre esperava els resultats de la prova del cuc del cor, estava intentant esbrinar d'on anava a treure els diners per tractar tots els seus altres problemes en cas que fos negatiu del cuc del cor. Vaig agafar el meu mòbil i vaig trucar a un amic meu que vol mantenir l'anonimat. Havia fundat un grup de rescat d'animals de resposta a desastres arran de l'huracà Katrina anomenat Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Li vaig dir tot sobre Roadie i em va dir que m'ajudaria amb les despeses per tractar Roadie si el veterinari i jo decidíem que es podria restaurar a una bona qualitat de vida.
Lliure de cuc, Roadie vol viure
El meu veterinari va tornar i va dir: "Roadie té molts problemes ara mateix, però el cuc del cor no és un d'ells". Òbviament sabia que em preocupaven els costos i em va dir que si volia tractar aquest dolç vell, em faria tots els descomptes possibles. Li vaig demanar que em deixés sol amb Roadie durant uns minuts perquè pogués intentar prendre la decisió correcta. Mentre em vaig quedar allà acariciant l'abric brut de Roadie, em vaig adonar que s'havia posat en el meu camí per una raó i que fos només sis mesos o potser un any, anava a fer tot el que estigués al meu poder per demostrar a aquest vell que havia patit tota una vida d'abandonament i abusos que algú l'estimava i es preocupava per ell abans de marxar d'aquest món;
Així que Roadie anava a ser tractat. Es va quedar cinc dies a l'oficina del veterinari on li van posar líquids i antibiòtics per via intravenosa, es va tractar la seva infestació per puces, es van netejar les orelles infectades que drenava i se li van fer un bany medicat. Tots els seus problemes es van abordar i van trigar gairebé dos mesos, però es va recuperar completament.
Els millors mesos de la seva vida... fins i tot jugant a pilota a la seva vellesa
Roadie va viure a la granja amb mi i els meus altres gossos i els cavalls durant set mesos feliç i ple de vida. Va jugar amb la seva pilota preferida i va dormir al meu llit cada nit fins que va arribar aquell matí que tenia por. Aquell divendres em vaig despertar per treure Roadie i els altres nens, però no es va poder aixecar i posar-se dempeus i vaig pensar bé que només estava passant un mal dia, així que li vaig ajudar a posar-se de peu i a fora per fer els seus negocis i vaig continuar fent-ho durant el cap de setmana. Dilluns, les seves cames no podien suportar el seu pes ni tan sols amb la meva ajuda, així que tal com ho havia fet set mesos abans, el vaig portar a l'oficina del meu veterinari i el meu veterinari em va dir que era hora. El vaig agafar entre els meus braços i vaig plorar mentre en Roadie va sortir d'aquest món, però mentre em va mirar just abans que s'apaguessin les llums darrere d'aquells grans ulls marrons, vaig saber en el meu cor que Roadie sabia que l'estimava com sabia que m'estimava.
Vaig portar a Roadie de tornada a la granja i el meu amic que havia ajudat amb les factures del veterinari de Roadie després em va ajudar a enterrar-lo a la granja amb la seva pilota preferida. Vaig anar a la casa i em vaig asseure amb els meus altres gossos per confort i vaig plorar durant dies tal com estic ara, explicant la seva història. Sincerament, puc dir que sabent tot el que sé ara, ho tornaria a fer. Ja veus, unes setmanes abans de trobar en Roadie, havia perdut la meva mare, i Roadie, sense que jo ho sagués en aquell moment, m'havia ajudat a passar alguns dels dies més foscos de la meva vida centrant-me en ell i no en la recent pèrdua de la meva mare. Mai l'oblidaré d'ell ni del regal especial que em va fer i poques vegades passa un dia en què no se'm pense en ell jugant amb la seva pilota o amb els meus altres gossos i caminant tan ràpid com podia per intentar seguir el ritme d'ells que no somriu o de vegades encara vessin una llàgrima. Tinc un imant al meu Jeep que sembla l'empremta de la pota d'un gos i diu "Qui va rescatar a qui?" Et deixaré decidir.
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What a loving story! It melted my heart. Mr. Hill, you surely be eternally blessed if there is a hereafter! Thank you Ms. Simpson for finding and posting this story.
Brings tears to my eyes,and they still don't stop!!!This is proof that humanity still exists
Two angels finding each other for a moment in time. How wonderful and bittersweet. Bless you sir, and RIP Roadie.
Frida, my twelve year old poodle has taught me to be more appreciative and loving. Her love and trust is unconditional.
what a beautiful story, reminds me of my dog chase, i had to have him put to sleep and it ripped my soul apart, but what came thru loseing him is my art, i have over 300 pieces and with them i want to donate half of any sales to help with our best friends in chases name. but my health is not good, and i dont know where to begin, cause i cant do it by myself, and this is all because my boy died, its for him, and because of him. i pray that god will send me a miracle, because a lot of animals could be helped. signed, needing a miracle.
I have a little rescued GSD that came into my life in the middle of a prolonged and dark, dark stretch of road ... he was in the middle of recovering from a savage case of mange, still bald on a lot of his body but the sweetest of creatures ... he had suffered abuse and was found wandering the streets and rescued from the pound by Golden State German Shepherd Rescue -- he came into my life when the gal I work for was talked into giving him a temporary foster home ... she had to leave him with me for a couple of weeks ... found out just recently, that if she had not fostered him and I had not subsequently adopted him, he would have been put down ... a year later, he is healthy, no mange, full thick fur that sheds gloriously over everything, my constant companion - certified as a service dog he goes everywhere with me, coming to work everyday ... and he has given me my life back, brought me out into the light ... I can understand Laura's feelings about "Roadie" ... Indeed - "who rescued whom?"
[Hide Full Comment]Thank you for this lovely tribute to Roadie.
Love is always a gift
A very touching story...i am in all tears...!!
I am an animal lover and have rescued many animals, most of which have been put to sleep due to old age or pain. This story has really touched my heart and I believe that given a chance, most of these animals could live a day, a month or a year extra of their lives being happy. I believe now, that we need to take time and examine an animal carefully before rushing into decisions.
They all desearve to live and be treated in a human way. All they need is our love.
<3 I cried too..:) True Love knows NO boundaries..One man and his dog..A short space in time together..But a bond OH so strong, left with an eternal love that lives on..and on..and on..:)
Your story touched me so much. Thank you for being such a wonderful, loving human being. It kills me to know how cruel people can be to the innocent. Thanks so much for giving this sweet guy those special seven months of love.
Roadie was put in your path exactly for the reason you mentioned. He was there to comfort you in your sorrow. God's ways and timing are always perfect.
Looks like Roadie was in the right place. He knew you would be there to rescue him.
good god, what a tearjerker, of course im going thru my own issues with my old dog and just finished writing a little something yesterday to help me with it emotionally. thanks for letting me know I CAN treat him for another few months or year and be with him. thank you so much for your rescue efforts, my dad has 9 rescues and it is so true that bumper sticker..who rescued who...i saw one here in charlotte, nc too.
This is truly heartwarming. I myself can relate to this. I work at an Animal Hospital, and am forced to look at the sad reality that some people just don't care about their animals. I also rescued 2 animals, and went through the same with the flea infections and a skin disease, after many months of having a hairless puppy, with the help of the Vets at work, we were able to successfully restore her back to a normal puppy, with tons of hair!, I also have the very same magnet on the back of my car. The love and bond between the owner and the animal is something that can't be explained, you just feel it.
Angels on earth don't often wear wings. You met one wearing fur and you both have been blessed. Of course I cried too - thank you.
As a owner of two dogs,my only children,I know of the love you get from a dog which is unconditional and everlasting.As a photographer I am gifted with the knowledge to photograph my "children" so that their memory will last with me.
Love this story. I cried right alingalong with Don. A generous man with a kind heart. Thank you.
Been there. What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing...I'm crying, too.
I have been through the whole content of this blog which is
very informative and knowledgeable stuff, so I would like to visit again.
Dogs tend to love their masters more than they love themselves.Well,guess Roadie is a life time memory then.
I couldn't finish reading the story without feeling tears going down my cheek. It is a beautiful story filled with love. I am glad that Rodie was able to find a good person like you and that he in return was able to help you as well. Maybe your mom put him on your path because she didn't wanted you to suffer her departure. Animals don't ask anything but love and they love you back inconditionally. I have a 1 year old dog, named Sofi, and everytime I think of the time she will leave me I feel my heart shrinking. It's only been 10 months I have her but she has brought a lot of happiness to all my family. I can't imagine my life without her anymore.
Very moving & touching story !!
All I can say is 'ditto' to the comments. I had to put my Bella down nearly 2 years ago and still miss her so much. Like the others, I was in tears reading this story....but it was so uplifting too.
A beautiful story. Thank you.
There's a reason he just "Happened" along to your moms front lawn on just that one day you were there. He chose you and it was probably the single best choice in his life. God bless you both.
Lovely story and so glad you both helped eachother in your time of need. RIP Roadie, and your Mum. May they be together now looking after eachother and looking down at you and smiling.
stories like this make me want to cry. I have had many rescue critters in the last 40 years and it never gets easier when one has to cross over. At least Roadie knew what being loved was in his life.
Earlier this year I adopted a border collie from the local kill shelter. The info on her card had her age estimated as 9 yrs old. However upon examination by my vet it turned out she was actually at least 11, perhaps 12. She had been picked up as a stray by animal control and when I took her I was told that if I hadn't she would probably have been killed at the shelter on Monday the following week (their weekly euthanasia day). According to the vet's exam she had extremely severe arthritis in her hind legs and had probably been in pain for quite some time - pain to the extent that she moved only when it was mandatory. As a result she had lost almost all the muscle mass in her legs. I brought her home, fed her, loved her and she slept as close to the bed as she could physically get (I have a 14 year old cocker spaniel who has monopolized the majority of the bed since he was adopted at age 13). One day, after a strong rain, Cara slipped on a bare patch of mud in the back yard, fell and broke a leg so close to the hip joint that it could not be set. The only remaining option was to amputate the leg. However because of the pre-existing muscle loss she would not have been able to walk on the remaining 3 legs so I made the decision to let her go while she was under anesthesia from the attempt to set the leg. Cara had been with me for only a month at that time but during that short period she grabbed very strongly at my heart and I will mill her for a very long time.
Even with that I still do not regret the decision to adopt her as during the month she lived with me she was one of the kindest, most affectionate dogs I have ever met. Yes, I miss her but regret at my loving her is not part of that. The only regret is that I could not give her a longer time with me.
The people I fault are the ones who left her in so much pain from the arthritis that she lost the muscle mass to to lack of movement and then turned her out on the streets. Them I'd punish as strongly as I could. Cara was a beautiful dog and I still miss her.
[Hide Full Comment]beautiful and touching story... almost tears in my eyes while reading this... thank u for sharing this....
Cried the whole way through this as I know how dogs can love unconditionally and the joy they can bring at the right time. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you, to you and Roadie!
tears. :'(
it is a very nice story.
thank you for sharing .
Dog's and Cat's are little people in Fur Coat's , with feeling's the same as we have . They , if treated with respect and love , will alway's be by your side to give comfort , over the year's I too have lost pet's I've loved dearly , and yes , cried at the loss . I am disabled and alone most day's while my wife work's and the children are in school . We have a Lab/Sheppard mix named Mocha , she is 10 m0nths old and a wonderful companion . she is easy taught and I learn from her as well . Your story touched my heart , I am sorry for your loss of Roadie, but you will have memories that will last forever , and that mean's more than anything ...
Touching story, makes me feel I need to do more with my life and help not just pets but anyone I can
This is such a beautiful story and i almost could not read it as i was about to burst into tears. It is really nice to know that we have such brilliant people out there who are willing to do anything for their animals.
God bless the lady who took care of Roadie until he went off to a better place.
Heartbreaking! Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Everywhere in the world, dogs and animals in general help us to endure the worse in life when everyone desert you. You saved him and he saved you and it is the way it works as a matter of fact;we are all connected and we can change the world we live in by giving a helping hand to ease the suffering. You always get something back when you do it generously. It's a beautiful story about love and togetherness. I wish they were more people like you who truly care.
I can't stop crying, My babies are getting older and my oldest is having problems with her hip now. When we walk she lets me know when to stop so that we can go back home for her to rest. Stormy is our rescue pup and we bought her brother because he was so compatable with her, he is Twister. I don't even want to think of the day when I have to say goodby, they are my life!
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing and for what you did to help. Roadie was truly an angel, and so are you Don!
You have one of the kindest heart on earth Sir.
I cried. Hats of to the Kindness in You....
Dogs are amazing. You helped him and he helped you, no strings attached, just love.
What a wonderful, tragic, bittersweet love story. My dogs were both rescues, but I know without a doubt that they have helped me more than I have ever done for them. They have licked away tears, never left my side when I was in pain, and let me know every day how much they love and appreciate me. They are God's gift to we mere mortals.
Oh my gosh. I'm balling my eyes out! That is the sweetest story. It's ironic how fate works in so MANY different ways. RIP Roadie!
I'm in tears as I read this beautiful story of compassion. It gives me hope for humanity. I'm sitting here with my rescued 8 yr. old and my rescued 8 month old dogs, who both helped me recover from the grief of losing loved ones, so completely relate. One more thing: I also have the magnet "Who Rescued Who" on my car. There's no doubt in my mind that they rescued me.
Oh my gosh, I can't stop crying. I had such a "friend" as well, and I still remember the day I had to carry her out in the sun because she could no longer walk due to her arthritis. I would come home at lunch and take her out. She loved the sun. On her last day, I went out to bring her back in, and she had passed in the moment that I went in to check on what I had on the stove. I still shed tears for my Foxy, sometimes my only companion.
You and Roadie were meant to meet each other. You helped each other through tough times. Dogs are a gift from God. Your story is sad but heartwarming. Know that the memories of Roadie will be forever in your heart.
Beautiful story and may you forever be comforted by his apirit, and memories. God bless you, yes ther are so many things to be thankful for.
I have always said my dogs rescuded me
What a beautiful story.
I lost my dog Jack so know exactly how you felt.
He's last days were happy thanks to you and his spirit will be with you always.
Thanks for sharing your story. From a little girl, I knew I would be crazy about Dogs, shunning dolls and wheeling my dog around in a pram , happy with HER sunglasses on. I am way past that time now, and my dogs have long been my family and children. I adore all Dogs and am inspired by people who care like you. Rosie
Beautiful story Don - thanks for sharing it.
all this can be done only if we don't allow the thought and the consequent anxiety about the future interfere with our present choices.
Truly heartwarming! I know of no other love that is everlasting. Even human beings get mad at each other. But dogs love you even if you are mad at them. Every time you return home, they shower their love as though you were away for a decade. Linda's heart will be blessed as she takes care of those who cannot speak for themselves. Roadie's story brings back memories of all the dogs I have lost, and brings tears in my eyes when I remember them. Thank you Linda.
how terrific that you found the means to give Roadie the medical care he needed so that you could share each other's company, even if only for a little while. insensitivity leads so many of us to disregard creatures at the end of their lives. the time you gave Roadie was very possibly the only good time he ever had. people like you make my heart happy!
Thank you - this is beautiful
One can't compare the love for a dog with any other love. It's pure, total and something more that's impossible to describe. Don, I don't know when this happened, but even if it's been years, I'm sure Roadie's spirit still occupies a corner of your heart.
I read this story of Roadie and Laura Simpson with a lump in my throat. I have loved and lost many amazing dogs (and cats as well) and this story brought all of my emotions back. But I am grateful for this story because it made me realize the blessing of all of our pets. Thank you. Sat Nam!
One of the lessons I have learned going through the different trials in my life is that the best way to "bounce back" is to do something nice for someone else. This story is a great example of just how that works. That is why we are taught that it is more blessed to give than to recieve.
A truley heart warming story and one that anyone who loves dogs can relate to. Dogs are special. They are our children in fur coats and give unening love to those who have them.
What a beautiful and touching story, it brought to mind so many animal stories and love that I have experienced in my life over the years, I am grateful that you shared this a perfect example of unconditional love...a wonderful way to enter the week of Thanksgiving....thank you.