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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums15-Year-Old Dog’s Owner Disappears, But He Has a Happy Ending
http://www.care2.com/causes/15-year-old-dog-dumped-on-ultimate-doorstep.html
by Laura Simpson October 9, 2014 5:30 pm
Editors note: This post is a Care2 favorite. It was originally published on June 25, 2012. Enjoy!
Written by Brenda Yannuzzi of Delaware
My husband and I have been involved in pet therapy for some time and when my therapy partner (an adorable little Sheltie) passed away suddenly, we were stunned and greatly saddened. After several weeks of grieving, I got a call from a local shelter I volunteered at. A single father who was commuting out of state for his job needed a place for his elderly Border collie mix to stay during the week. The owner would take the dog home on weekends to visit with his 13-year-old son and expected to stop commuting in 4-5 months. He would gladly provide food, vet care and cover all expenses for the dog.
Hansel arrived at our house with NO training beyond letting us know that he needed to go outside. He couldnt walk on a leash, he couldnt ride peacefully in the car, he had never been socialized; he was not neutered so he had lots and lots of energy that he didnt know what to do with (and neither did we). He was basically a 12-year-old, 75 pound incorrigible dog with no manners but a sweet disposition who got along well with our epileptic Basset mix and the cats.
He Slowly Slipped Out of Hansels Life
Weekend visits with the owner went well for about a month. In the second month, he called less frequently. By the third month (holiday season) he called to ask if he could take Hansel for a visit and we arranged the day and time. He never showed up. During the holidays, I tried reaching him; unanswered voice and e-mail messages and letters confirmed what I suspected: that Hansel was being dumped on us.
I continued to try reaching the owner after the holidays and three months after our last contact, I had to admit that we were stuck with this dog, and were not going to recover the vet bills or money for food as promised.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/15-year-old-dog-dumped-on-ultimate-doorstep.html#ixzz3FxkVfPIq
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15-Year-Old Dog’s Owner Disappears, But He Has a Happy Ending (Original Post)
Omaha Steve
Oct 2014
OP
xchrom
(108,903 posts)1. du rec.
brer cat
(24,523 posts)2. You have brightened a lot of days, Steve,
with your heart-warming stories. I really appreciate it, and I know other DUers do too. Thanks!
Omaha Steve
(99,494 posts)4. I just pass along from other sites
I'm sure you can tell I have a soft spot for these stories too.
Thank you for the kind words.
OS
shenmue
(38,506 posts)3. Very squee!
Clappity clap!
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)5. Thank you for sharing this story.
herding cats
(19,558 posts)6. Who's a lucky dog?
Hansels a lucky dog!
He was dumped into a place in life where he could be appreciated and live with a family that understood him. It's good to know his golden years were made so beautiful.
herding cats
(19,558 posts)7. I have one to share with you, returning the favor if you will.
Palmdale dogs keep elderly owner alive after fall
PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) --
Judy Muhe gets emotional when she talks about how her two dogs saved her life. Muhe, 76, was in and out of consciousness for two days after falling in her kitchen.
"They went for days without food and water. They stayed with me," she said. "By keeping me warm, and keeping me comfortable, as they could, the main thing was they let me know that I was not alone."
Muhe says if her dogs had not kept her warm on the cold floor, she fears she might have died. Muhe has Parkinson's disease, and the cold can be very dangerous for her.
"Dodger kept nuzzling me with his nose and he (the second dog) was laying beside me. I don't know what I would have done without them," she said, crying. "I'm sorry. I just love my dogs so much."
<>
"When I came in we found her right away on the floor. The dogs were right here with her. They actually ran to the door and then they ran back to where she was, like showing us she was there," said Jacobs.
http://abc7.com/pets/dogs-keep-elderly-owner-alive-after-fall/345793/
PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) --
Judy Muhe gets emotional when she talks about how her two dogs saved her life. Muhe, 76, was in and out of consciousness for two days after falling in her kitchen.
"They went for days without food and water. They stayed with me," she said. "By keeping me warm, and keeping me comfortable, as they could, the main thing was they let me know that I was not alone."
Muhe says if her dogs had not kept her warm on the cold floor, she fears she might have died. Muhe has Parkinson's disease, and the cold can be very dangerous for her.
"Dodger kept nuzzling me with his nose and he (the second dog) was laying beside me. I don't know what I would have done without them," she said, crying. "I'm sorry. I just love my dogs so much."
<>
"When I came in we found her right away on the floor. The dogs were right here with her. They actually ran to the door and then they ran back to where she was, like showing us she was there," said Jacobs.
http://abc7.com/pets/dogs-keep-elderly-owner-alive-after-fall/345793/
Just look at these sweet sweet faces!
brer cat
(24,523 posts)8. Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.