作为“伟大的动物救援行动”的创始人，我有幸结识了数百位了不起的英雄，但这位英雄的故事却让我始料未及。读完这位男士和这条狗一次又一次互相扶持的故事，你一定会感动得起鸡皮疙瘩。请务必点击文末的链接查看更多照片。愿我们所有人都能有朝一日拥有如此深沉的爱……
作者：唐·希尔（佐治亚州）
我当时在佐治亚州奥古斯塔，在那里待了几个星期，清理母亲去世后留下的家。母亲因多种健康问题和并发症去世。那天是星期天，也是我在那里的最后一天。离我离开还有大约一个小时，我即将返回佐治亚州东北部山麓的家，而我的五只救助犬距离那里还有将近四个小时的路程。我走到前院，想最后再看一眼父母的房子，却看到院子里有一只看起来很老的狗，它显然很痛苦。它原地转着半圈，然后倒在地上，挣扎着爬起来，又重复这个动作。我走过去的时候，至少看到它重复了三次。
这本该是我迄今为止最轻松的一次救援，因为这只可怜的老家伙根本无力逃跑，但同时也是最令人心碎的一次。这只可怜的、未绝育的雄性犬，是我多年动物救援生涯中见过的状况最糟糕的狗狗。它骨瘦如柴，严重脱水，右眼肿胀得睁不开，还流着脓；双耳严重感染，也在流脓；身上布满开放性伤口；身上跳蚤成灾；前爪的指甲足足有四英寸长。它的牙齿几乎都磨平了，只剩下牙龈，我猜是多年来啃咬用来囚禁它的铁链或绳索造成的；脚掌的肉垫也磨损严重，布满了裂口。
他看到我的影子时，吓得浑身一颤，跌倒在地，好像要挨打似的。
我走近他时，他似乎没听到我的脚步声，但当他看到我的影子时，却吓得一哆嗦，像要挨打似的跌倒在地，蜷缩成一团。我坐在草地上，轻轻抚摸着他，温柔地跟他说话，直到他不再蜷缩。我努力让他相信，再也不会有人伤害他，他的痛苦即将结束。我想让他明白，他不必害怕我。
我估计他十多岁；后来给他看病的兽医确定他快十五岁了。我把他抱起来，带到车棚里，那里停着一辆小拖车，里面装满了我从母亲家搬来的东西。其中一个箱子里有一些干狗粮、几个不锈钢狗碗，还有一些旧毯子和毛巾。我给他铺了个窝，然后把他放上去。我把一些干狗粮用水泡软，因为我知道他牙齿不好，不泡软了很难吃东西。接下来的几个小时，我因为他的身体状况，每次只喂他少量的食物和水，不想让他吃太多喝太多，而是想帮他恢复一些体力，好带他回家。第二天早上，我可以带他去看兽医，让他安详地结束痛苦。
把Roadie带回家——他把头枕在我的大腿上。
找到他之后，我根本没想过要抛弃他。我在吉普车的前座上给他铺了个床，把他抱起来放上去。我挂上拖车，开始开车回家，心里忐忑不安，不知道这只睡得正香的老家伙能不能平安回到农场。开了几英里后，他抬起头，用他唯一能睁开的那只棕色大眼睛看着我，仿佛在说谢谢，然后把头枕在我的右腿上，就这样一直枕着，直到回家的路上，他又睡着了。
他跟我一起回到了农场，我把他安顿在谷仓里一个空着的隔间里，想让他和其他狗狗隔离开来，直到第二天一早带他去兽医诊所。我把他抱进诊所，放在检查台上，心想兽医大概会把这个可怜的老家伙送到别处去。他睁开唯一一只完好的眼睛，伸出爪子碰了碰我，那一刻我就知道，这个可怜的老家伙肯定会让我心碎。
兽医检查。他们会发现什么？
我的兽医给他做了检查，检查结束后告诉我，他的耳部感染是他见过的最严重的，他几乎可以肯定这只老狗因此完全失聪了。我们讨论了所有的健康问题，他问我打算怎么做。他说，目前他看不出有什么无法治疗的毛病，他觉得这只狗可以完全康复，不会承受太多的压力和痛苦，并且能够拥有良好的生活质量。但他警告我说，由于他年纪大了，即使我们决定治疗他所有的疾病，这只老狗可能也只剩下六个月或一年的寿命了，这最终取决于我的决定。他看到我犹豫着，低头看着我捡到的这只可怜的老狗，然后他说：“我们先给他做个心丝虫检查吧。他年纪太大了，不适合治疗了。我们先看看他是不是阳性，然后再由你决定。”我说好的。我给他取名叫“Roadie”，因为那天我发现他的时候，很明显他已经流浪了很久了。
在等待心丝虫检测结果的时候，我一直在想，如果Roadie的心丝虫检测结果呈阴性，我该从哪里筹钱来治疗他其他的疾病。我拿起手机，给一位不愿透露姓名的好朋友打了电话。他在卡特里娜飓风后成立了一个名为“Kat 5动物救援”的灾难动物救援组织。我把Roadie的情况都告诉了他，他说如果兽医和我都认为Roadie可以恢复到良好的生活质量，他会帮我支付治疗费用。
摆脱了心脏病，Roadie 只想好好活下去
我的兽医回来后说：“Roadie现在有很多问题，但心丝虫病不在其中。”他显然知道我担心治疗费用，并告诉我，如果我想给这只可爱的老狗治病，他会给我所有可能的折扣。我请他让我和Roadie单独待一会儿，好让我好好想想。我站在那里，抚摸着Roadie脏兮兮、打结的毛发，我意识到他出现在我的生命中是有原因的。无论只有六个月还是一年，我都要尽我所能，让这只一生遭受忽视和虐待的老狗感受到有人爱他、关心他，在他离开这个世界之前——我完全明白，当那一刻真正到来时，我会悲痛欲绝。
所以罗迪要接受治疗。他在兽医诊所待了五天，期间输液、注射抗生素，清除跳蚤，清理感染的耳朵，还洗了药浴。所有问题都得到了解决，花了将近两个月的时间，他才完全康复。
这是他一生中最美好的几个月……甚至在他晚年还能打球。
罗迪和我以及其他狗狗和马儿一起在农场生活了七个月，快乐而充满活力。他每天晚上都玩他最喜欢的球，睡在我的床上，直到我一直害怕的那个早晨到来。星期五早上，我醒来准备带罗迪和其他狗狗出去玩，但他站不起来。我想，他可能只是今天身体不舒服，于是我扶他起来，带他出去方便，整个周末我都这样做。到了星期一，即使我搀扶，他的腿也支撑不住自己的体重了。于是，就像七个月前一样，我把他抱到兽医诊所。兽医告诉我，是时候了。我抱着他，哭着看着罗迪离开这个世界。在他那双美丽的大眼睛里，光芒熄灭之前，他看着我，我心里明白，罗迪知道我爱他，就像我知道他爱我一样。
我把罗迪带回了农场，之前帮我支付罗迪兽医费的朋友，和我一起把他埋在了农场里，罗迪最喜欢的球也陪着他。我回到家，和其他狗狗们待在一起寻求安慰，哭了好几天，就像现在这样，一边讲述着罗迪的故事。我可以坦诚地说，即使现在我知道了所有的一切，我还是会这么做。你知道吗，就在我找到罗迪的几周前，我失去了母亲。当时我甚至不知道，罗迪在我生命中最黑暗的日子里陪伴着我，让我把注意力放在他身上，而不是母亲的离世。我永远不会忘记他，也不会忘记他带给我的这份特别的礼物。几乎每天，我都会想起他玩耍的场景，想起他和其他狗狗一起玩耍，想起他拼命追赶它们的样子，想起这些，我都会微笑，有时还会流下眼泪。我的吉普车上贴着一个磁贴，形状像个狗爪印，上面写着“谁救了谁？” 至于这是什么意思，就留给你们自己去判断吧。
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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.