Sebagai pengasas The Great Animal Rescue Chase , saya berbesar hati dapat bertemu dengan ratusan wira yang luar biasa, tetapi yang satu ini membuatkan saya tidak sedarkan diri. Bulu anda akan berdiri tegak apabila anda membaca kisah lelaki ini dan anjing ini yang saling menjemput berkali-kali. Pastikan anda mencari pautan di penghujung cerita untuk melihat lebih banyak foto. Semoga kita semua suatu hari nanti berpeluang untuk mencintai ini sedalam-dalamnya….
Oleh Don Hill of Georgia
Saya berada di Augusta, Georgia di mana saya berada selama beberapa minggu membersihkan rumah ibu saya selepas kematiannya baru-baru ini akibat pelbagai masalah kesihatan dan komplikasi. Pada hari Ahad ini, hari terakhir saya di sana, kerana saya hanya kira-kira sejam dari bertolak untuk kembali ke kaki bukit pergunungan Georgia timur laut dan lima anjing penyelamat saya hampir empat jam jauhnya, saya berjalan keluar ke halaman depan untuk melihat sekali lagi ke rumah ibu bapa saya dan saya melihat di halaman depan apa yang kelihatan seperti seekor anjing yang sangat tua yang jelas dalam kesusahan. Dia akan berjalan dalam separuh bulatan, kemudian jatuh ke tanah, kemudian berjuang kembali ke kakinya dan melakukannya semula. Saya melihat dia melakukan perkara yang sama sekurang-kurangnya tiga kali semasa saya berjalan ke arahnya.
Ini adalah penyelamatan paling mudah saya kerana budak tua yang malang ini tidak dapat lari daripada saya, tetapi juga yang paling menyayat hati. Lelaki yang menyedihkan dan tidak dikebiri ini adalah dalam bentuk yang paling teruk dari mana-mana anjing yang pernah saya lihat selama bertahun-tahun saya dalam menyelamat haiwan. Dia kurus kering, dehidrasi, mata kanannya bengkak tertutup dan nanah yang mengalir, kedua-dua telinganya teruk dijangkiti dan juga longkang, badannya dipenuhi kudis terbuka, dia diserang kutu dan kuku hadapannya sepanjang hampir empat inci. Semua giginya telah haus sama rata dengan gusinya, saya andaikan kerana bertahun-tahun mengunyah kabel atau rantai yang digunakan untuk mengurungnya dan pad di kakinya sangat haus dan terpotong.
Apabila dia melihat bayang saya dia tersentak dan jatuh ke tanah seolah-olah dia akan dipukul
Semasa saya mendekatinya, dia tidak kelihatan mendengar saya mendekat tetapi apabila dia melihat bayang saya, dia tersentak dan jatuh ke tanah seolah-olah dia akan dipukul dan dia gemetar. Saya duduk di atas rumput bersamanya dan membelainya dan bercakap lembut dengannya sehingga dia berhenti meringkuk, cuba meyakinkannya bahawa tiada siapa yang akan menyakitinya lagi dan penderitaannya akan berakhir. Saya ingin menunjukkan kepadanya bahawa dia tidak perlu takut daripada saya.
Saya menganggarkan umurnya pada 10 tahun ke atas; doktor haiwan yang merawatnya kemudian menentukan dia hampir 15 tahun. Saya mengangkatnya dalam pelukan saya dan membawanya ke carport di mana saya mempunyai treler utiliti kecil yang penuh dengan barang-barang dari rumah ibu saya yang saya bawa bersama saya. Terdapat beberapa makanan anjing kering dan beberapa mangkuk anjing keluli tahan karat di dalam salah satu kotak serta beberapa selimut dan tuala lama jadi saya menyediakan katil untuknya kemudian meletakkannya di atasnya sambil saya mencampurkan beberapa makanan kering dengan air untuk melembutkannya, kerana mengetahui dia akan mengalami kesukaran untuk memakannya jika tidak dengan giginya dalam keadaan di dalamnya. Selama beberapa jam saya memberinya makanan dan air dalam kuantiti yang terlalu cepat, tetapi tidak mahu dia makan terlalu banyak kerana keadaannya terlalu cepat atau tidak mahu terlalu kuat untuk makan. beberapa orang dan membawanya pulang ke rumah di mana keesokan harinya saya boleh membawanya ke doktor haiwan saya dan menamatkan penderitaannya secara berperikemanusiaan.
Membawa Roadie pulang - dia meletakkan kepalanya di atas paha saya
Meninggalkannya tidak pernah menjadi pilihan apabila saya telah menemuinya. Saya membaringkannya di tempat duduk hadapan Jeep saya, mengangkatnya dan membaringkannya di atasnya. Saya memasang treler utiliti dan memulakan perjalanan pulang ke rumah tertanya-tanya sama ada budak tua yang nyenyak tidur ini akan pulang ke ladang. Hanya beberapa batu di jalan, dia mengangkat kepalanya dan memandang saya dengan satu mata coklat besar yang dia boleh buka seolah-olah mengucapkan terima kasih, kemudian meletakkan kepala itu di atas paha kanan saya di mana ia tinggal sepanjang perjalanan pulang dan dia kembali tidur.
Dia kembali ke ladang bersama saya di mana saya menidurkannya dengan selesa di dalam gerai kosong di kandang, mahu memastikan dia terasing daripada anjing lain di sana sehingga saya boleh membawanya ke pejabat doktor haiwan perkara pertama pada keesokan harinya. Saya membawanya ke pejabat doktor haiwan dan membaringkannya di atas meja bilik peperiksaan, dengan penuh harapan untuk membenarkan doktor haiwan menghantar lelaki tua manis yang malang ini ke tempat yang lebih baik. Dia membuka mata yang baik dan menghulurkan tangan dan menyentuh saya dengan cakarnya dan saya tahu pada ketika itu juga bahawa budak tua yang malang ini akan menghancurkan hati saya.
Peperiksaan veterinar. Apa yang akan mereka temui?
Doktor haiwan saya memeriksanya dan apabila dia selesai dia memberitahu saya bahawa jangkitan telinga adalah yang paling teruk yang pernah dia lihat dan dia hampir positif lelaki tua ini benar-benar pekak akibatnya. Kami membincangkan semua isu kesihatan dan dia bertanya kepada saya apa yang saya mahu lakukan. Dia memberitahu saya bahawa pada masa ini dia tidak dapat melihat apa-apa yang salah yang tidak boleh dirawat dan bahawa dia merasakan anjing itu boleh pulih sepenuhnya tanpa terlalu banyak tekanan atau kesakitan dan mempunyai kualiti hidup yang baik tetapi dia memberi amaran kepada saya bahawa kerana usianya yang lanjut, walaupun kami memutuskan untuk merawat semua masalahnya, budak tua ini mungkin hanya mempunyai enam bulan atau mungkin setahun lagi dan itu terpulang kepada saya. Dia melihat saya teragak-agak ketika saya memandang rendah lelaki tua malang yang saya temui ini dan kemudian dia berkata "Mari kita uji dia untuk cacing jantung. Dia terlalu tua untuk menjalani rawatan. Mari kita lihat sama ada dia positif atau tidak dan kemudian anda boleh membuat keputusan." Saya kata okay. Saya telah menamakan dia "Roadie" kerana pada hari itu saya mendapati dia jelas sekali dia telah berada di jalan raya sebentar tadi.
Semasa saya menunggu keputusan ujian cacing jantung, saya cuba memikirkan di mana saya akan mendapatkan wang untuk merawat semua masalahnya yang lain sekiranya dia negatif cacing jantung. Saya mengambil telefon bimbit saya dan menghubungi rakan karib saya yang tidak mahu dikenali. Dia telah mengasaskan kumpulan penyelamat haiwan tindak balas bencana selepas Taufan Katrina yang dipanggil Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Saya memberitahunya segala-galanya tentang Roadie dan dia berkata dia akan membantu saya dengan perbelanjaan untuk merawat Roadie jika doktor haiwan dan saya memutuskan dia boleh dipulihkan kepada kualiti hidup yang baik.
Tanpa cacing, Roadie mahu hidup
Doktor haiwan saya masuk semula dan berkata "Roadie mempunyai banyak masalah sekarang tetapi cacing jantung bukan salah satu daripadanya." Dia jelas tahu saya bimbang tentang kos yang terlibat dan dia memberitahu saya jika saya mahu merawat lelaki tua manis ini, dia akan memberi saya setiap diskaun yang mungkin. Saya meminta dia meninggalkan saya sendirian dengan Roadie selama beberapa minit supaya saya boleh cuba membuat keputusan yang betul. Semasa saya berdiri di sana sambil mengusap kot Roadie yang kusut, saya menyedari bahawa dia telah dimasukkan ke dalam laluan saya atas sebab tertentu dan sama ada hanya enam bulan atau mungkin setahun, saya akan melakukan segala-galanya untuk menunjukkan kepada lelaki tua ini yang telah mengalami pengabaian dan penderaan seumur hidup bahawa seseorang menyayanginya dan mengambil berat tentangnya sebelum dia meninggalkan dunia ini — sepenuhnya mengetahui bahawa apabila masa itu tiba, saya akan mengalami kesedihan.
Jadi Roadie akan dirawat. Dia tinggal di pejabat doktor haiwan selama lima hari di mana dia diberi cecair IV dan antibiotik, serangan kutunya telah ditangani, telinganya yang dijangkiti kuman dibersihkan, dan dia diberi mandian ubat. Semua isunya telah ditangani dan ia mengambil masa hampir dua bulan, tetapi dia pulih sepenuhnya.
Bulan-bulan terbaik dalam hidupnya...malah bermain bola pada usia tuanya
Roadie tinggal di ladang bersama saya dan anjing dan kuda saya yang lain selama tujuh bulan dengan gembira dan penuh kehidupan. Dia bermain dengan bola kegemarannya dan tidur di katil saya setiap malam sehingga pagi itu yang saya takuti datang. Saya bangun pada hari Jumaat itu untuk membawa Roadie dan kanak-kanak lain keluar tetapi dia tidak boleh bangun dan berdiri di atas kakinya dan saya fikir dia hanya mengalami hari yang teruk, jadi saya membantunya bangun dan keluar untuk menjalankan perniagaannya dan terus berbuat demikian pada hujung minggu. Menjelang hari Isnin, kakinya tidak dapat menampung berat badannya walaupun dengan bantuan saya, jadi seperti yang saya ada tujuh bulan sebelumnya, saya membawanya ke pejabat doktor haiwan saya dan doktor haiwan saya memberitahu saya sudah tiba masanya. Saya memegang dia dalam pelukan saya dan menangis apabila Roadie meninggalkan dunia ini, tetapi ketika dia memandang saya sebelum lampu padam di sebalik mata coklat yang cantik itu, saya tahu dalam hati saya bahawa Roadie tahu saya menyayanginya sebagaimana saya tahu dia mencintai saya.
Saya membawa Roadie kembali ke ladang dan rakan saya yang telah membantu dengan bil doktor haiwan untuk Roadie kemudian membantu saya mengebumikannya di ladang dengan bola kegemarannya. Saya pergi ke rumah dan duduk bersama anjing saya yang lain untuk keselesaan dan menangis berhari-hari sama seperti saya sekarang, menceritakan kisahnya. Saya boleh jujur mengatakan mengetahui semua yang saya tahu sekarang bahawa saya akan melakukannya sekali lagi. Anda lihat, hanya beberapa minggu sebelum saya menemui Roadie, saya telah kehilangan ibu saya, dan Roadie, tanpa saya sedari pada masa itu, telah membantu saya melalui beberapa hari paling gelap dalam hidup saya memberi tumpuan kepadanya dan bukannya kehilangan ibu saya baru-baru ini. Saya tidak akan melupakan dia atau hadiah istimewa yang dia berikan kepada saya dan jarang hari berlalu sehingga saya tidak memikirkan dia bermain dengan bolanya atau anjing saya yang lain dan berjalan sepantas mungkin untuk cuba bersaing dengan mereka yang saya tidak tersenyum atau kadang-kadang masih menitiskan air mata. Saya mempunyai magnet pada Jeep saya yang kelihatan seperti cap kaki anjing dan tertera "Siapa yang Menyelamatkan Siapa?" Saya akan biarkan awak membuat keputusan.
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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.