Sebagai pendiri The Great Animal Rescue Chase , saya senang bertemu dengan ratusan pahlawan yang luar biasa, tetapi yang satu ini mengejutkan saya. Bulu kuduk Anda akan berdiri tegak saat membaca kisah pria dan anjing ini yang saling menolong berulang kali. Pastikan untuk mencari tautan di akhir cerita untuk melihat lebih banyak foto. Semoga suatu hari nanti kita semua memiliki kesempatan untuk mencintai ini dengan sepenuh hati….
Oleh Don Hill dari Georgia
Saya berada di Augusta, Georgia, tempat saya menghabiskan beberapa minggu membersihkan rumah ibu saya setelah kematiannya baru-baru ini akibat berbagai masalah kesehatan dan komplikasi. Pada hari Minggu itu, hari terakhir saya di sana, karena saya hanya tinggal sekitar satu jam lagi untuk kembali ke kaki bukit pegunungan timur laut Georgia dan lima anjing penyelamat saya hampir empat jam lagi, saya berjalan ke halaman depan untuk melihat rumah orang tua saya untuk terakhir kalinya dan saya melihat di halaman depan ada seekor anjing yang tampak sangat tua dan jelas-jelas dalam kesulitan. Ia akan berjalan setengah lingkaran, lalu jatuh ke tanah, lalu berjuang untuk berdiri lagi dan melakukannya lagi. Saya melihatnya melakukan hal yang sama setidaknya tiga kali saat saya berjalan menghampirinya.
Ini adalah penyelamatan termudah yang pernah saya lakukan karena anjing tua malang ini tidak dalam kondisi yang memungkinkan untuk lari dari saya, tetapi juga yang paling memilukan. Anjing jantan yang menyedihkan dan belum dikebiri ini berada dalam kondisi terburuk dari semua anjing yang pernah saya lihat selama bertahun-tahun dalam penyelamatan hewan. Dia kurus kering, dehidrasi, mata kanannya bengkak dan tertutup serta mengeluarkan nanah, kedua telinganya terinfeksi parah dan juga mengeluarkan nanah, tubuhnya ditutupi dengan luka terbuka, dia dipenuhi kutu dan kuku depannya hampir sepanjang empat inci. Semua giginya aus hingga sejajar dengan gusinya, saya kira karena bertahun-tahun mengunyah kabel atau rantai yang digunakan untuk mengurungnya dan bantalan di kakinya sangat aus dan terpotong.
Ketika dia melihat bayanganku, dia tersentak dan jatuh ke tanah seolah-olah dia akan dipukuli.
Saat aku mendekatinya, dia tampak tidak mendengarku mendekat, tetapi saat dia melihat bayanganku, dia tersentak dan jatuh ke tanah seolah-olah dia akan dipukuli dan dia meringkuk ketakutan. Aku duduk di rumput bersamanya dan membelainya serta berbicara lembut padanya sampai dia berhenti meringkuk, mencoba meyakinkannya bahwa tidak seorang pun akan menyakitinya lagi dan bahwa penderitaannya akan berakhir. Aku ingin menunjukkan padanya bahwa dia tidak perlu takut padaku.
Saya memperkirakan usianya 10 tahun lebih; dokter hewan yang merawatnya kemudian menentukan bahwa dia hampir berusia 15 tahun. Saya menggendongnya dan membawanya ke carport tempat saya memiliki trailer utilitas kecil yang penuh dengan barang-barang dari rumah ibu saya yang akan saya bawa. Ada beberapa makanan anjing kering dan beberapa mangkuk anjing stainless steel di salah satu kotak serta beberapa selimut dan handuk tua jadi saya menyiapkannya tempat tidur lalu meletakkannya di atasnya sambil mencampur beberapa makanan kering dengan air untuk melunakkannya, mengetahui dia akan kesulitan memakannya dengan giginya dalam kondisi seperti itu. Selama beberapa jam saya memberinya makanan dan air dalam jumlah kecil karena kondisinya, tidak ingin dia makan atau minum terlalu banyak terlalu cepat tetapi mencoba untuk membangun kekuatannya dan membawanya pulang di mana keesokan paginya saya bisa membawanya ke dokter hewan saya dan mengakhiri penderitaannya secara manusiawi.
Membawa Roadie pulang – dia meletakkan kepalanya di pahaku
Meninggalkannya bukanlah pilihan setelah saya menemukannya. Saya menyiapkan tempat tidur untuknya di jok depan Jeep saya, mengangkatnya, dan membaringkannya di sana. Saya memasang trailer dan mulai berkendara pulang sambil bertanya-tanya apakah lelaki tua yang kini tertidur lelap ini akan berhasil kembali ke peternakan. Hanya beberapa mil di jalan, ia mengangkat kepalanya dan menatap saya dengan satu mata cokelat besar yang dapat dibukanya seolah-olah mengucapkan terima kasih, lalu meletakkan kepalanya di paha kanan saya dan tetap berada di sana selama perjalanan pulang dan ia kembali tidur.
Ia kembali ke peternakan bersamaku, di mana aku membaringkannya dengan nyaman di kandang kosong di gudang, ingin membuatnya tetap terpisah dari anjing-anjing lain di sana sampai aku bisa membawanya ke dokter hewan keesokan paginya. Aku menggendongnya ke dokter hewan dan membaringkannya di meja ruang pemeriksaan, dengan harapan penuh agar dokter hewan dapat mengirim pria tua malang yang manis ini ke tempat yang lebih baik. Ia membuka satu matanya yang masih sehat dan mengulurkan tangan serta menyentuhku dengan kakinya, dan saat itu juga aku tahu bahwa pria tua malang ini akan menghancurkan hatiku.
Pemeriksaan dokter hewan. Apa yang akan mereka temukan?
Dokter hewan saya memeriksanya dan setelah selesai, ia mengatakan bahwa infeksi telinganya adalah yang terburuk yang pernah dilihatnya dan ia hampir yakin bahwa anjing tua ini benar-benar tuli karenanya. Kami mendiskusikan semua masalah kesehatan dan ia bertanya apa yang ingin saya lakukan. Ia mengatakan kepada saya bahwa saat ini ia tidak dapat melihat sesuatu yang salah yang tidak dapat diobati dan bahwa ia merasa anjing itu dapat pulih sepenuhnya tanpa terlalu banyak stres atau rasa sakit dan memiliki kualitas hidup yang baik, tetapi ia memperingatkan saya bahwa karena usianya yang sudah lanjut, bahkan jika kami memutuskan untuk mengobati semua masalahnya, anjing tua ini mungkin hanya memiliki waktu enam bulan atau mungkin setahun lagi dan itu tergantung pada saya. Ia melihat saya ragu-ragu saat saya melihat ke bawah pada pria tua malang yang saya temukan dan kemudian ia berkata, "Mari kita uji dia untuk cacing hati. Dia sudah terlalu tua untuk menjalani perawatan. Mari kita lihat apakah dia positif atau tidak dan kemudian Anda dapat memutuskan." Saya berkata oke. Saya telah menamainya "Roadie" karena hari itu saya menemukannya, jelas ia telah berada di jalan cukup lama.
Sambil menunggu hasil tes cacing hati, saya mencoba mencari tahu dari mana saya akan mendapatkan uang untuk mengobati semua masalahnya yang lain jika ia negatif cacing hati. Saya mengambil ponsel dan menelepon seorang teman dekat yang ingin tetap anonim. Ia telah mendirikan kelompok penyelamat hewan tanggap bencana setelah Badai Katrina yang disebut Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Saya menceritakan semuanya tentang Roadie dan ia berkata akan membantu saya dengan biaya untuk mengobati Roadie jika dokter hewan dan saya memutuskan ia dapat dikembalikan ke kualitas hidup yang baik.
Bebas dari cacing hati, Roadie ingin hidup
Dokter hewan saya datang kembali dan berkata, "Roadie punya banyak masalah sekarang, tetapi cacing hati bukan salah satunya." Dia jelas tahu saya khawatir tentang biaya yang dikeluarkan dan dia mengatakan kepada saya jika saya ingin merawat pria tua yang manis ini, dia akan memberi saya diskon sebanyak mungkin. Saya memintanya untuk meninggalkan saya sendiri dengan Roadie selama beberapa menit sehingga saya dapat mencoba membuat keputusan yang tepat. Saat saya berdiri di sana sambil membelai bulu Roadie yang kusut dan kotor, saya menyadari bahwa dia telah ditempatkan di jalan saya karena suatu alasan dan meskipun hanya enam bulan atau mungkin setahun, saya akan melakukan segala daya saya untuk menunjukkan kepada pria tua ini yang telah menderita seumur hidup karena diabaikan dan dianiaya bahwa seseorang mencintainya dan peduli padanya sebelum dia meninggalkan dunia ini — dengan sepenuhnya mengetahui bahwa ketika saat itu tiba, saya akan sangat sedih.
Jadi Roadie akan dirawat. Ia dirawat di kantor dokter hewan selama lima hari, diberi cairan infus dan antibiotik, kutu yang bersarang di tubuhnya diobati, telinganya yang terinfeksi dibersihkan, dan ia dimandikan dengan obat. Semua masalahnya ditangani dan butuh waktu hampir dua bulan, tetapi ia pulih sepenuhnya.
Bulan-bulan terbaik dalam hidupnya…bahkan bermain bola di usia tuanya
Roadie tinggal di peternakan dengan saya dan anjing-anjing saya yang lain dan kuda-kuda selama tujuh bulan dengan bahagia dan penuh kehidupan. Dia bermain dengan bola favoritnya dan tidur di tempat tidur saya setiap malam sampai pagi yang saya takutkan datang. Saya terbangun pada hari Jumat itu untuk membawa Roadie dan anak-anak lain keluar tetapi dia tidak bisa bangun dan berdiri di atas kakinya dan saya pikir ya dia hanya mengalami hari yang buruk, jadi saya membantu berdiri dan keluar untuk melakukan urusannya dan terus melakukannya selama akhir pekan. Pada hari Senin, kakinya tidak dapat menopang berat badannya bahkan dengan bantuan saya, jadi seperti yang saya lakukan tujuh bulan sebelumnya, saya membawanya ke kantor dokter hewan dan dokter hewan saya memberi tahu saya bahwa sudah waktunya. Saya menggendongnya di lengan saya dan menangis ketika Roadie meninggalkan dunia ini, tetapi ketika dia menatap saya tepat sebelum lampu padam di balik mata cokelatnya yang besar dan indah, saya tahu dalam hati saya bahwa Roadie tahu saya mencintainya seperti saya tahu dia mencintai saya.
Saya membawa Roadie kembali ke peternakan dan teman saya yang telah membantu membayar tagihan dokter hewan untuk Roadie kemudian membantu saya menguburnya di peternakan dengan bola kesayangannya. Saya pergi ke rumah dan duduk bersama anjing-anjing saya yang lain untuk menenangkan diri dan menangis selama berhari-hari seperti yang saya lakukan sekarang, menceritakan kisahnya. Sejujurnya, dengan mengetahui semua yang saya ketahui sekarang, saya akan melakukannya lagi. Anda tahu, hanya beberapa minggu sebelum saya menemukan Roadie, saya telah kehilangan ibu saya, dan Roadie, tanpa saya sadari saat itu, telah membantu saya melewati beberapa hari tergelap dalam hidup saya dengan berfokus padanya dan bukan pada kehilangan ibu saya baru-baru ini. Saya tidak akan pernah melupakannya atau hadiah istimewa yang diberikannya kepada saya dan jarang sekali sehari berlalu tanpa saya memikirkannya bermain dengan bolanya atau anjing-anjing saya yang lain dan berjalan secepat yang dia bisa untuk mencoba mengimbangi mereka sehingga saya tidak tersenyum atau terkadang masih meneteskan air mata. Saya memiliki magnet di Jeep saya yang terlihat seperti jejak kaki anjing dan bertuliskan "Siapa yang Menyelamatkan Siapa?" Saya akan membiarkan Anda memutuskan.
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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.