Som grundlægger af The Great Animal Rescue Chase har jeg fornøjelsen af at møde hundredvis af utrolige helte, men den her fangede mig. Dit hår vil rejse sig, når du læser historien om denne mand og denne hund, der tog hinanden op igen og igen. Sørg for at kigge efter linket i slutningen af historien for at se flere billeder. Må vi alle en dag få chancen for at elske dette dybt….
Af Don Hill of Georgia
Jeg var i Augusta, Georgia, hvor jeg havde været i flere uger og renset min mors hjem efter hendes nylige død som følge af adskillige helbredsproblemer og komplikationer. På denne søndag, min sidste dag der, da jeg kun var omkring en time fra at tage af sted for at vende tilbage til foden af de nordøstlige Georgia-bjerge og mine fem redningshunde næsten fire timer væk, gik jeg ud i forhaven for at tage et sidste kig på mine forældres hjem, og jeg så i forhaven, hvad der så ud til at være en meget gammel hund, der var i tydelig nød. Han ville gå i en halvcirkel, så falde til jorden, så kæmpe sig tilbage på benene og gøre det igen. Jeg så ham gøre det samme mindst tre gange, da jeg gik hen til ham.
Dette skulle være langt min nemmeste redning, fordi denne stakkels gamle dreng ikke var i form til at løbe fra mig, men også den mest hjerteskærende. Denne triste, ukastrerede han var i den værste form af enhver hund, jeg nogensinde havde set i mine mange år med dyreredning. Han var afmagret, dehydreret, hans højre øje var hævet lukket og drænende pus, begge ører var alvorligt inficerede og drænede også, hans krop var dækket af åbne sår, han var angrebet af lopper og hans forreste negle var næsten fire centimeter lange. Alle hans tænder var slidt ned i niveau med hans tandkød, går jeg ud fra, efter mange års tygning på et kabel eller en kæde, der blev brugt til at begrænse ham, og puderne på hans fødder var ekstremt slidte og skåret.
Da han så min skygge, rystede han og faldt til jorden, som om han var ved at blive slået
Da jeg kom tæt på ham, så han ikke ud til at høre mig nærme mig, men da han så min skygge, rystede han og faldt til jorden, som om han var ved at blive tævet, og han trak sig sammen. Jeg sad på græsset sammen med ham og strøg ham og talte sagte til ham, indtil han holdt op med at krybe sammen, og forsøgte at forsikre ham om, at ingen nogensinde ville såre ham igen, og at hans lidelse ville ende. Jeg ville vise ham, at han ikke havde noget at frygte fra mig.
Jeg vurderede hans alder til 10 plus; dyrlægen, der behandlede ham, fandt senere ud af, at han var tæt på 15. Jeg tog ham op i mine arme og bar ham ind i carporten, hvor jeg havde en lille brugstrailer pakket med ting fra min mors hus, jeg tog med. Der var noget tørt hundefoder og nogle hundeskåle i rustfrit stål i en af kasserne samt nogle gamle tæpper og håndklæder, så jeg lagde ham en seng og lagde ham på den, mens jeg blandede noget af tørfoderet med vand for at blødgøre det, velvidende at han ville have svært ved at spise det ellers med tænderne i den stand de var i. I flere timer gav jeg ham mad og vand i små mængder, men han ville ikke spise for meget for ham, men han ville ikke spise for meget for ham. forsøgte at opbygge hans styrke og få ham hjem, hvor jeg den følgende morgen kunne tage ham til min dyrlæge og afslutte hans lidelse på en human måde.
Bringer Roadie hjem – han lagde sit hoved hen over mit lår
At forlade ham var aldrig en mulighed, når jeg havde fundet ham. Jeg gjorde ham en seng på forsædet af min Jeep, samlede ham op og lagde ham på den. Jeg spændte redskabstraileren og begyndte køreturen hjem og spekulerede på, om denne nu godt sovende gamle dreng ville nå tilbage til gården. Bare et par kilometer nede af vejen løftede han hovedet og kiggede på mig med det ene store brune øje, han kunne åbne, som for at sige tak, så lagde han hovedet hen over mit højre lår, hvor det blev hele turen hjem, og han sov igen.
Han nåede tilbage til gården med mig, hvor jeg sengede ham komfortabelt i en tom bås i stalden, og ville holde ham isoleret fra de andre hunde der, indtil jeg først kunne tage ham med til dyrlægen næste morgen. Jeg bar ham ind på dyrlægens kontor og lagde ham på undersøgelsesbordet, i forventning om at tillade dyrlægen at sende denne stakkels søde gamle mand videre til et bedre sted. Han åbnede sit ene gode øje og rakte ud og rørte ved mig med sin pote, og jeg vidste lige der og da, at denne stakkels gamle dreng ville knuse mit hjerte.
Dyrlægeprøven. Hvad ville de finde?
Min dyrlæge undersøgte ham, og da han var færdig, fortalte han mig, at ørebetændelserne var de værste, han nogensinde havde set, og han var næsten sikker på, at denne gamle fyr var helt døv som et resultat. Vi diskuterede alle hedespørgsmålene, og han spurgte mig, hvad jeg ville gøre. Han fortalte mig, at han lige nu ikke kunne se noget galt, der ikke kunne behandles, og at han følte, at hunden helt kunne komme sig uden for meget stress eller smerte og have en god livskvalitet, men han advarede mig om, at på grund af hans høje alder, selvom vi besluttede at behandle alle hans problemer, så har denne gamle dreng måske kun seks måneder eller måske et år tilbage, og det var op til mig. Han så mig tøve, da jeg kiggede ned på denne stakkels gamle mand, jeg havde fundet, og så sagde han "Lad os teste ham for hjerteorm. Han er alt for gammel til at gennemgå behandling. Lad os se, om han er positiv eller ej, og så kan du bestemme." Jeg sagde okay. Jeg havde kaldt ham "Roadie", fordi den dag, jeg fandt ham, var det tydeligt, at han havde været på vejen et stykke tid.
Mens jeg ventede på resultaterne af hjerteormtesten, forsøgte jeg at finde ud af, hvor jeg skulle få pengene til at behandle alle hans andre problemer, hvis han skulle være hjerteormnegativ. Jeg tog min mobiltelefon og ringede til en af mine nære venner, som gerne ville være anonym. Han havde grundlagt en katastrofeberedskabs-dyreredningsgruppe i kølvandet på orkanen Katrina kaldet Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Jeg fortalte ham alt om Roadie, og han sagde, at han ville hjælpe mig med udgifterne til behandling af Roadie, hvis dyrlægen og jeg besluttede, at han kunne blive genoprettet til en god livskvalitet.
Fri for hjerteorm vil Roadie gerne leve
Min dyrlæge kom tilbage og sagde "Roadie har mange problemer lige nu, men hjerteorm er ikke en af dem." Han vidste åbenbart, at jeg var bekymret over omkostningerne, og han fortalte mig, at hvis jeg ville behandle denne søde gamle mand, ville han give mig enhver mulig rabat. Jeg bad ham om at lade mig være alene med Roadie i et par minutter, så jeg kunne prøve at træffe den rigtige beslutning. Da jeg stod der og strøg Roadies sammenfiltrede snavsede frakke, indså jeg, at han var blevet sat på min vej af en grund, og om det kun var seks måneder eller måske et år, ville jeg gøre alt, hvad der stod i min magt, for at vise denne gamle mand, der havde lidt et helt liv med omsorgssvigt og misbrug, at nogen elskede ham og bekymrede sig om ham, før han forlod denne verden - velvidende, at når den tid kom, ville jeg være forelsket.
Så Roadie skulle i behandling. Han blev på dyrlægens kontor i fem dage, hvor han blev sat på IV-væske og antibiotika, hans loppeangreb blev behandlet, hans drænende inficerede ører blev renset, og han fik et medicinsk bad. Alle hans problemer blev løst, og det tog næsten to måneder, men han kom sig fuldt ud.
De bedste måneder i hans liv … selv at spille bold i hans alderdom
Roadie boede på gården sammen med mig og mine andre hunde og hestene i syv måneder glad og fuld af liv. Han legede med sin yndlingsbold og sov i min seng hver nat, indtil den morgen, jeg havde frygtet, kom. Jeg vågnede den fredag for at tage Roadie og de andre børn med ud, men han kunne ikke rejse sig og stå på benene, og jeg tænkte godt, at han bare har en dårlig dag, så jeg hjalp ham på benene og udenfor for at gøre hans forretninger og fortsatte med at gøre det i weekenden. På mandag kunne hans ben ikke bære hans vægt, selv med min hjælp, så ligesom jeg havde gjort syv måneder tidligere, bar jeg ham ind på min dyrlægekontor, og min dyrlæge fortalte mig, at det var på tide. Jeg holdt ham i mine arme og græd, da Roadie forlod denne verden, men da han kiggede på mig lige før lyset gik ud bag de store smukke brune øjne, vidste jeg i mit hjerte, at Roadie vidste, at jeg elskede ham, som jeg vidste, at han elskede mig.
Jeg tog Roadie tilbage til gården, og min ven, der havde hjulpet med dyrlægeregningerne for Roadie, hjalp mig så med at begrave ham på gården med hans yndlingsbold. Jeg gik til huset og sad sammen med mine andre hunde for trøst og græd i dagevis, ligesom jeg er nu, og fortalte hans historie. Jeg kan ærligt sige ved at vide alt, hvad jeg ved nu, at jeg ville gøre det hele igen. Du kan se, kun få uger før jeg fandt Roadie, havde jeg mistet min mor, og Roadie, uden jeg selv vidste det på det tidspunkt, havde hjulpet mig gennem nogle af de mørkeste dage i mit liv med at fokusere på ham og ikke det nylige tab af min mor. Jeg vil aldrig glemme ham eller den særlige gave, han gav mig, og der går sjældent en dag, hvor jeg ikke tænker på, at han leger med sin bold eller mine andre hunde og går så hurtigt, han kunne, for at prøve at holde trit med dem, at jeg ikke smiler eller nogle gange stadig fælder en tåre. Jeg har en magnet på min jeep, der ligner en hunds poteaftryk, og den siger "Hvem reddede hvem?" Jeg lader dig bestemme.
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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.