Sem stofnandi The Great Animal Rescue Chase hef ég ánægju af að kynnast hundruðum ótrúlegra hetja, en þessi kom mér á óvart. Hárið þitt mun rísa þegar þú lest söguna af þessum manni og þessum hundi sem tóku hver annan upp aftur og aftur. Vertu viss um að leita að hlekknum í lok sögunnar til að sjá fleiri myndir. Megum við öll einn daginn fá tækifæri til að elska þetta innilega….
eftir Don Hill frá Georgíu
Ég var í Augusta í Georgíu þar sem ég hafði verið í nokkrar vikur við að þrífa heimili móður minnar eftir að hún lést nýlega vegna fjölmargra heilsufarsvandamála og fylgikvilla. Þennan sunnudag, síðasta daginn minn þar, þar sem ég var aðeins um klukkutíma frá því að fara til fjallsrætur norðaustur-Georgíufjallanna og fimm björgunarhundarnir mínir í næstum fjögurra tíma fjarlægð, gekk ég út í framgarðinn til að kíkja í síðasta sinn á heimili foreldra minna og ég sá í framgarðinum sem virtist vera mjög gamall hundur sem var í augljósri neyð. Hann gekk í hálfhring, féll svo til jarðar, barðist svo aftur á fætur og gerði það aftur. Ég sá hann gera þetta sama að minnsta kosti þrisvar sinnum þegar ég gekk til hans.
Þetta átti að vera langauðveldasta björgunin mín því þessi greyið gamli drengur var ekki í neinu formi til að hlaupa frá mér, en líka sársaukafullur. Þessi sorglegi, óhlutlausi karlmaður var í verstu formi allra hunda sem ég hafði nokkurn tíma séð í mörg ár mín í dýrabjörgun. Hann var rýr, þurrkaður, hægra augað var þrútið lokað og tæmandi kisa, bæði eyrun voru alvarlega sýkt og tæmd líka, líkami hans var þakinn opnum sárum, hann var sýktur af flóum og framneglurnar voru næstum fjórar tommur að lengd. Allar tennur hans voru slitnar niður í hæð við tannholdið, ég geri ráð fyrir því eftir margra ára tyggingu á snúru eða keðju sem notaður var til að loka hann og púðarnir á fótum hans voru mjög slitnir og skornir.
Þegar hann sá skuggann minn hrökk hann við og féll til jarðar eins og hann væri að verða barinn
Þegar ég kom nálægt honum, virtist hann ekki heyra mig nálgast, en þegar hann sá skuggann minn, hrökk hann við og féll til jarðar eins og hann væri að verða barinn og hann kúgaðist. Ég settist í grasið með honum og strauk honum og talaði lágt við hann þar til hann hætti að kúga og reyndi að fullvissa hann um að enginn ætlaði að meiða hann aftur og að þjáningar hans myndu taka enda. Ég vildi sýna honum að hann hefði ekkert að óttast frá mér.
Ég áætlaði aldur hans 10 plús; Dýralæknirinn sem meðhöndlaði hann ákvað síðar að hann væri nálægt 15. Ég tók hann upp í fangið á mér og bar hann inn í bílageymsluna þar sem ég var með lítinn kerru sem var pakkaður af hlutum frá húsi móður minnar sem ég var að taka með mér. Það var þurrt hundamat og ryðfríu stáli hundaskálar í einum kassanum auk gamalla teppis og handklæða svo ég bjó til rúm fyrir hann og setti hann á það þar sem ég blandaði þurrfóðrinu saman við vatn til að mýkja það, vitandi að hann ætti erfitt með að borða það annars með tennurnar í því ástandi sem þær voru í. Í nokkra klukkutíma gaf ég honum mat og vatn í litlu magni til að drekka of mikið, en hann vildi ekki of mikið, að reyna að byggja upp styrk sinn og fá hann heim þar sem ég gæti farið með hann til dýralæknisins morguninn eftir og enda þjáningar hans á mannúðlegan hátt.
Að koma Roadie heim - hann lagði höfuðið yfir lærið á mér
Að fara frá honum var aldrei valkostur þegar ég hafði fundið hann. Ég bjó um rúm fyrir hann í framsætinu á jeppanum mínum, tók hann upp og lagði hann á hann. Ég festi kerruna og hóf aksturinn heim og velti því fyrir mér hvort þessi sofandi gamli drengur myndi komast aftur á bæinn. Aðeins nokkra kílómetra niður götuna lyfti hann höfðinu og horfði á mig með eina stóra brúna auganu sem hann gat opnað eins og til að þakka þér fyrir, lagði svo höfuðið yfir hægra lærið á mér þar sem það var alla ferðina heim og hann fór aftur að sofa.
Hann komst aftur á bæinn með mér þar sem ég lagði hann þægilega niður í tómum bás í hlöðunni, og vildi halda honum einangruðum frá hinum hundunum þar þangað til ég gæti farið með hann á dýralæknisstofuna morguninn eftir. Ég bar hann inn á dýralæknisstofuna og lagði hann á rannsóknarstofuborðið og bjóst fullkomlega við því að leyfa dýralækninum að senda þennan aumingja sæta gamla mann á betri stað. Hann opnaði eina góða augað sitt og rétti fram höndina og snerti mig með loppunni sinni og ég vissi rétt í þessu að þessi greyið gamli drengur ætlaði að brjóta hjarta mitt.
Dýralæknaprófið. Hvað myndu þeir finna?
Dýralæknirinn minn skoðaði hann og þegar hann var búinn sagði hann mér að eyrnabólgurnar væru þær verstu sem hann hefði séð og hann var næstum því viss um að þessi gamli strákur væri algjörlega heyrnarlaus fyrir vikið. Við ræddum öll heiðarmálin og hann spurði mig hvað ég vildi gera. Hann sagði mér að núna gæti hann ekki séð neitt athugavert sem ekki væri hægt að meðhöndla og að honum fyndist hundurinn geta náð sér að fullu án of mikils álags eða sársauka og hafa góð lífsgæði en hann varaði mig við því að vegna hás aldurs hans, jafnvel þótt við ákváðum að meðhöndla öll vandamál hans, gæti þessi gamli drengur aðeins átt sex mánuði eða kannski eitt ár eftir og það væri undir mér komið. Hann sá mig hika þegar ég horfði niður á þennan aumingja gamla mann sem ég hafði fundið og þá sagði hann "Við skulum prófa hann fyrir hjartaorm. Hann er allt of gamall til að fara í meðferð. Við skulum sjá hvort hann er jákvæður eða ekki og þá getur þú ákveðið." Ég sagði allt í lagi. Ég hafði nefnt hann „Roadie“ vegna þess að þennan dag fann ég hann að það var augljóst að hann hafði verið á ferðinni í nokkurn tíma.
Þegar ég beið eftir niðurstöðum úr hjartaormaprófinu var ég að reyna að komast að því hvar ég ætlaði að fá peningana til að meðhöndla öll önnur vandamál hans ef hann væri neikvæður fyrir hjartaorma. Ég tók upp farsímann minn og hringdi í náinn vin minn sem vill vera nafnlaus. Hann hafði stofnað dýrabjörgunarhóp vegna hamfara í kjölfar fellibylsins Katrínu sem heitir Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Ég sagði honum allt um Roadie og hann sagði að hann myndi hjálpa mér með útgjöldin til að meðhöndla Roadie ef ég og dýralæknirinn ákváðum að hann gæti endurheimt góð lífsgæði.
Laus við æðaorm vill Roadie lifa
Dýralæknirinn minn kom aftur inn og sagði "Roadie á við mörg vandamál að stríða núna en hjartaormur er ekki einn af þeim." Hann vissi augljóslega að ég hafði áhyggjur af kostnaðinum sem fylgdi því og hann sagði mér að ef ég vildi dekra við þennan sæta gamla mann myndi hann gefa mér allan mögulegan afslátt. Ég bað hann um að skilja mig eftir í friði með Roadie í nokkrar mínútur svo ég gæti reynt að taka rétta ákvörðun. Þegar ég stóð þarna og strauk matta óhreina úlpu Roadie, áttaði ég mig á því að hann hafði verið settur á vegi mínum af ástæðu og hvort sem það væri aðeins sex mánuðir eða kannski ár, ég ætlaði að gera allt sem í mínu valdi stóð til að sýna þessum gamla manni sem hafði orðið fyrir ævilangri vanrækslu og misnotkun að einhver elskaði hann og þótti vænt um hann áður en hann yfirgaf þennan heim - fullvel vitandi að þegar sá tími kæmi.
Svo Roadie var að fara í meðferð. Hann dvaldi á dýralæknisstofu í fimm daga þar sem hann fékk vökva í bláæð og sýklalyf, brugðist var við flóasmiti hans, tæmandi sýkt eyru hreinsuð og hann fékk lyfjabað. Tekið var á öllum málum hans og það tók tæpa tvo mánuði, en hann náði sér að fullu.
Bestu mánuðir lífs hans...jafnvel að spila bolta á gamals aldri
Roadie bjó á bænum með mér og öðrum hundum mínum og hestunum í sjö mánuði ánægður og fullur af lífi. Hann lék sér að uppáhalds boltanum sínum og svaf í rúminu mínu á hverju kvöldi þar til þessi morgunn sem ég hafði óttast að kom. Ég vaknaði á föstudaginn til að fara með Roadie og hina krakkana út en hann gat ekki staðið á fætur og ég hugsaði vel að hann ætti bara slæman dag, svo ég hjálpaði honum á fætur og utan við að sinna viðskiptum hans og hélt því áfram um helgina. Á mánudaginn gátu fætur hans ekki borið þyngd sína jafnvel með aðstoð minni, svo rétt eins og ég hafði gert sjö mánuðum áður, bar ég hann inn á dýralæknisstofuna mína og dýralæknirinn minn sagði mér að það væri kominn tími til. Ég hélt á honum í fanginu og grét þegar Roadie yfirgaf þennan heim, en þegar hann horfði á mig rétt áður en ljósin slokknuðu á bak við þessi stóru fallegu brúnu augu, vissi ég í hjarta mínu að Roadie vissi að ég elskaði hann eins og ég vissi að hann elskaði mig.
Ég fór með Roadie aftur á bæinn og vinur minn sem hafði aðstoðað við dýralæknisreikningana fyrir Roadie hjálpaði mér síðan að grafa hann á bænum með uppáhaldskúlunni hans. Ég fór í húsið og sat með hinum hundunum mínum mér til huggunar og grét í marga daga eins og ég er núna og sagði sögu hans. Ég get með sanni sagt að vita allt sem ég veit núna að ég myndi gera þetta aftur. Þú sérð, örfáum vikum áður en ég fann Roadie hafði ég misst móður mína og Roadie, án þess að ég vissi það á þeim tíma, hafði hjálpað mér í gegnum suma dimmustu daga lífs míns með því að einbeita mér að honum en ekki nýlegum missi mömmu. Ég mun aldrei gleyma honum eða þeirri sérstöku gjöf sem hann gaf mér og sjaldan líður sá dagur að mér dettur ekki í hug að hann leiki með boltann sinn eða aðra hundana mína og labba eins hratt og hann gat til að reyna að halda í við þá að ég brosi ekki eða felli stundum tár. Ég er með segull á jeppanum mínum sem lítur út eins og lappamerki hunds og á honum stendur „Who Rescued Who? Ég læt þig ákveða.
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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.