Som grunnlegger av The Great Animal Rescue Chase har jeg gleden av å møte hundrevis av utrolige helter, men denne tok meg på vakt. Håret ditt vil reise seg når du leser historien om denne mannen og denne hunden som plukket hverandre opp gang på gang. Sørg for å se etter lenken på slutten av historien for å se flere bilder. Måtte vi alle en dag få sjansen til å elske dette dypt….
Av Don Hill fra Georgia
Jeg var i Augusta, Georgia, hvor jeg hadde vært i flere uker og ryddet hjemmet til min mor etter hennes nylige død som et resultat av en rekke helseproblemer og komplikasjoner. På denne søndagen, min siste dag der, da jeg bare var omtrent en time fra å reise til foten av de nordøstlige Georgia-fjellene og mine fem redningshunder nesten fire timer unna, gikk jeg ut i forgården for å ta en siste titt på hjemmet til foreldrene mine, og jeg så i forgården det som så ut til å være en veldig gammel hund som var i åpenbar nød. Han gikk i en halvsirkel, så falt han til bakken, så kjempet han seg opp igjen og gjorde det igjen. Jeg så ham gjøre det samme minst tre ganger da jeg gikk bort til ham.
Dette skulle være min desidert enkleste redning fordi denne stakkars gamle gutten ikke var i form til å løpe fra meg, men også den mest hjerteskjærende. Denne triste, ukastrerte hannen var i den verste formen av en hund jeg noen gang hadde sett i mine mange år i dyreredning. Han var avmagret, dehydrert, det høyre øyet hans var hoven igjen og puss som drenerte, begge ørene var alvorlig infisert og drenerte også, kroppen hans var dekket av åpne sår, han var infisert av lopper og neglene foran var nesten fire tommer lange. Alle tennene hans var slitt ned i nivå med tannkjøttet, antar jeg fra år med tygging på en kabel eller kjede som ble brukt til å begrense ham og putene på føttene hans var ekstremt slitte og kuttet.
Da han så skyggen min, rystet han til og falt til bakken som om han var i ferd med å bli slått
Da jeg kom nær ham, så det ikke ut til at han hørte meg nærme meg, men da han så skyggen min, rystet han til og falt til bakken som om han var i ferd med å bli slått og han krøp sammen. Jeg satt på gresset sammen med ham og strøk ham og snakket lavt til ham til han sluttet å krype, og prøvde å forsikre ham om at ingen noen gang kom til å skade ham igjen og at lidelsen hans kom til å ta slutt. Jeg ville vise ham at han ikke hadde noe å frykte fra meg.
Jeg anslo alderen hans til 10 pluss; veterinæren som behandlet ham fant senere ut at han var nærmere 15. Jeg tok ham opp i armene mine og bar ham inn i carporten hvor jeg hadde en liten nyttehenger fullpakket med ting fra min mors hus jeg tok med meg. Det var noe tørt hundemat og noen hundeskåler i rustfritt stål i en av boksene, samt noen gamle tepper og håndklær, så jeg lagde en seng til ham og la ham på den mens jeg blandet noe av tørrfôret med vann for å myke det, vel vitende om at han ville ha vanskelig for å spise det ellers med tennene i den tilstanden de var i. I flere timer ga jeg ham mat og vann i små mengder, men han ville ikke ha for mye å drikke, men han ville ikke ha for mye å drikke. prøver å bygge opp kreftene hans og få ham hjem, hvor jeg neste morgen kunne ta ham med til veterinæren min og avslutte lidelsene hans på en human måte.
Bringer Roadie hjem – han la hodet over låret mitt
Å forlate ham var aldri et alternativ når jeg først hadde funnet ham. Jeg laget en seng til ham på forsetet på Jeepen min, plukket ham opp og la ham på den. Jeg koblet på tilhengeren og begynte å kjøre hjem og lurte på om denne nå sovende gamle gutten ville komme tilbake til gården. Bare noen få kilometer nedover veien løftet han hodet og så på meg med det ene store brune øyet han kunne åpne som for å si takk, så la han hodet over høyre lår der det ble hele turen hjem og han sovnet igjen.
Han kom tilbake til gården med meg hvor jeg la ham komfortabelt ned i en tom bås i låven, og ønsket å holde ham isolert fra de andre hundene der til jeg kunne ta ham med til veterinærkontoret neste morgen. Jeg bar ham inn på veterinærkontoret og la ham på undersøkelsesrommet, i forventning om å la veterinæren sende denne stakkars søte gamle mannen videre til et bedre sted. Han åpnet det ene gode øyet sitt og strakte ut hånden og berørte meg med labben og jeg visste akkurat der og da at denne stakkars gamle gutten kom til å knuse hjertet mitt.
Veterinæreksamen. Hva ville de finne?
Veterinæren min undersøkte ham og da han var ferdig fortalte han meg at ørebetennelsene var de verste han noen gang hadde sett, og han var nesten sikker på at denne gamle fyren var helt døv som et resultat. Vi diskuterte alle helseproblemene og han spurte meg hva jeg ville gjøre. Han fortalte meg at han akkurat nå ikke kunne se noe galt som ikke kunne behandles og at han følte at hunden kunne komme seg helt uten for mye stress eller smerte og ha god livskvalitet, men han advarte meg om at på grunn av hans høye alder, selv om vi bestemte oss for å behandle alle problemene hans, kan denne gamle gutten bare ha seks måneder eller kanskje et år igjen, og det var opp til meg. Han så meg nøle mens jeg så ned på denne stakkars gamle mannen jeg hadde funnet, og så sa han "La oss teste ham for hjerteorm. Han er altfor gammel til å gå gjennom behandling. La oss se om han er positiv eller ikke, og så kan du bestemme deg." Jeg sa ok. Jeg hadde kalt ham "Roadie" fordi den dagen jeg fant ham at det var tydelig at han hadde vært på veien en stund.
Mens jeg ventet på resultatene av hjerteormtesten, prøvde jeg å finne ut hvor jeg skulle få pengene til å behandle alle de andre problemene hans hvis han skulle være hjerteormnegativ. Jeg tok opp mobilen og ringte en nær venn av meg som ønsker å være anonym. Han hadde grunnlagt en katastrofeberedskapsdyreredningsgruppe i kjølvannet av orkanen Katrina kalt Kat 5 Animal Rescue. Jeg fortalte ham alt om Roadie, og han sa at han ville hjelpe meg med utgiftene til å behandle Roadie hvis veterinæren og jeg bestemte at han kunne bli gjenopprettet til en god livskvalitet.
Roadie er fri for orm og ønsker å leve
Veterinæren min kom inn igjen og sa "Roadie har mange problemer akkurat nå, men hjerteorm er ikke en av dem." Han visste tydeligvis at jeg var bekymret for kostnadene involvert, og han fortalte meg at hvis jeg ønsket å behandle denne søte gamle mannen, ville han gi meg alle mulige rabatter. Jeg ba ham om å la meg være alene med Roadie i noen minutter slik at jeg kunne prøve å ta den riktige avgjørelsen. Mens jeg sto der og strøk Roadies matte skitne frakk, skjønte jeg at han hadde blitt satt i veien for meg av en grunn, og det være seg bare seks måneder eller kanskje et år, jeg skulle gjøre alt i min makt for å vise denne gamle mannen som hadde lidd et helt liv med omsorgssvikt og misbruk at noen elsket ham og brydde seg om ham før han forlot denne verden - vel vitende om at når den tiden kom.
Så Roadie skulle behandles. Han ble på veterinærkontoret i fem dager hvor han ble satt på IV-væsker og antibiotika, loppeangrepet hans ble håndtert, de drenerende infiserte ørene hans ble renset og han fikk et medisinbad. Alle problemene hans ble tatt opp og det tok nesten to måneder, men han kom seg helt.
De beste månedene i livet hans...til og med å spille ball på hans alderdom
Roadie bodde på gården sammen med meg og de andre hundene mine og hestene i syv måneder lykkelig og full av liv. Han lekte med favorittballen sin og sov i sengen min hver natt til den morgenen jeg hadde gruet meg til kom. Jeg våknet den fredagen for å ta Roadie og de andre barna ut, men han klarte ikke å reise seg og stå på beina, og jeg tenkte at han bare har en dårlig dag, så jeg hjalp til med å stå på beina og utenfor for å gjøre forretningene hans og fortsatte å gjøre det i helgen. På mandag kunne ikke bena hans støtte vekten hans selv med min hjelp, så akkurat som jeg hadde gjort syv måneder tidligere, bar jeg ham inn på veterinærkontoret og veterinæren min fortalte meg at det var på tide. Jeg holdt ham i armene mine og gråt da Roadie forlot denne verden, men mens han så på meg like før lysene gikk ut bak de store vakre brune øynene, visste jeg i hjertet mitt at Roadie visste at jeg elsket ham slik jeg visste at han elsket meg.
Jeg tok Roadie med tilbake til gården og vennen min som hadde hjulpet med veterinærregningene til Roadie hjalp meg med å begrave ham på gården med favorittballen hans. Jeg dro til huset og satt med de andre hundene mine for å trøste og gråt i flere dager akkurat som jeg er nå, og fortalte historien hans. Jeg kan ærlig si at jeg vet alt jeg vet nå at jeg ville gjort det på nytt. Du skjønner, bare uker før jeg fant Roadie, hadde jeg mistet moren min, og Roadie, uten at jeg selv visste det på den tiden, hadde hjulpet meg gjennom noen av de mørkeste dagene i livet mitt med å fokusere på ham og ikke det nylige tapet av moren min. Jeg vil aldri glemme ham eller den spesielle gaven han ga meg, og det går sjelden en dag uten at jeg tenker på at han leker med ballen sin eller de andre hundene mine og går så fort han kunne for å prøve å holde tritt med dem at jeg ikke smiler eller noen ganger fortsatt feller en tåre. Jeg har en magnet på Jeepen min som ser ut som en hunds poteavtrykk, og den sier "Hvem reddet hvem?" Jeg lar deg 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.