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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsMailman Finds Dog Collapsed On Side Of Road And Knows What He Has To Do
"I do not believe in a lot of things but I do believe I was meant to find him.BY CAITLIN JILL ANDERS
The morning of February 25 started out as just a normal day for Nate Ohlman. He was going along his route, delivering the mail as he always does, when he suddenly noticed an elderly dog huddled up in a ditch at the end of a dead-end road. It was absolutely freezing outside that day, the middle of a harsh Missouri winter, and Ohlman could tell the poor dog was struggling to find a way to keep warm. Seeing him all alone in the cold broke his heart, and he knew he had to try and find a way to help him.
Ohlman tried to approach the dog slowly, not wanting to startle him but quickly realized that the senior dog couldnt hear or see very well.
I moved around a bit and made some noises, until he could see me and as soon as he did, he stood up and bolted for my mail truck, Ohlman told The Dodo. He was frostbitten, starving and alone.
As soon as the dog, later named Sloan, saw Ohlman, he somehow knew he was there to help him. Ohlman climbed into his truck with Sloan and looked down at the skinny dog, wondering how someone could have let him down so badly.
Knowing he needed help as quickly as possible, Ohlman rushed Sloan to the nearest animal hospital. He dropped him off, crossing his fingers that his new friend would be OK, and made sure the staff at the hospital had his contact information so they could update him on how Sloan was doing.
I told the clinic to attach my phone number to him. I wanted to know what was going to come of this sweet boy, Ohlman said.
Ohlman went back to work after that and continued along his route but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldnt get Sloan out of his head.
I thought about how and why somebody can do such a terrible thing to such a helpless creature, Ohlman said. It broke my heart to continue to think he had no one to love him. I had to adopt him just had to. I do not believe in a lot of things but I do believe I was meant to find him.
At that point, though, all Ohlman could do was hope with everything he had that Sloan would pull through, and that they would somehow find their way back to each other in the end.
Sloan ended up being taken in by KC Pet Project, and arrived at their shelter the day after he was rescued from the side of the road. He was in horrendous condition, and everyone at the rescue was heartbroken by the sight of him.
He was severely underweight, he had sores all over his body and he could barely stand or walk on his own for a long period of time, Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project, told The Dodo. He had the lowest body score condition that our veterinarians could give.
Sloans rescuers immediately started him on medications and fluids, and kept an extremely close eye on him for several days. They were worried the poor pup was too far gone, but after receiving the best care he could possibly be given, Sloan started to improve, and was eventually strong enough to move into a foster home, where he continued on his long road to recovery.
It was estimated that Sloan was around 12 years old, and yet despite his age, he began to heal and transform into the sweetest, goofiest dog who wanted nothing more than to be around people all the time, getting all the love and attention hed been craving for so long.
Before long, Sloan was thriving in his foster home, and when it was time for him to finally go off to his forever home, Sloans friends at KC Pet Project knew exactly who to call.
Ohlman was over the moon when he found out he was officially able to adopt Sloan, and the pairs reunion was the absolute sweetest thing. Sloan immediately recognized the man who saved his life, and thanked him with so many kisses and cuddles. Sloan has been settling in wonderfully to his new home, and is loving every minute of his new life.
Sloan is an elderly dog who I believe used to belong to a family, Ohlman said. His demeanor and actions are proof. Somebody did something very inhumane. I only did the humane thing.
https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/mailman-rescues-dog-and-then-adopts-him
MustLoveBeagles
(11,608 posts)CatMor
(6,212 posts)love to hear about the good people of the world. Takes away some of the stench of trump.
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)BigmanPigman
(51,590 posts)instead of the usual "dog bites mailman" story. They were obviously meant to be together, they are a lovely couple.
& R!
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)But Sloan needs a KC vanity tag that matches your hat for his collar. You might check with Sloans veterinary clinic...lots of places have them.
Have fun together!
rusty quoin
(6,133 posts)NoMoreRepugs
(9,423 posts)SunSeeker
(51,551 posts)Horrible what people do to Pit Bulls.
Probably dumped because he was a lover, not a fighter.
So glad these two found each other.
3catwoman3
(23,980 posts)...nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
According to the internet, this is not the official slogan of the US Post Office, but the mail carrier in the story certainly lives up to it.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)It could be that no one did anything intentionally to Sloan. Maybe he got out and got lost, and his family couldn't find him. In any case, that is one lucky dog. And for the few years that Sloan has left, this man will have his heart filled with love and devotion from his new bff, and he will know that he has done a truly good thing.
StarryNite
(9,444 posts)You brought me to tears with yet another animal...happy ending post.
Dem2theMax
(9,651 posts)Thank goodness it had the most wonderful and happy ending! I sure hope Nate and Sloan have a lot more years together.
Stonepounder
(4,033 posts)I sometimes think that dogs were put on earth to teach us about forgiveness and absolutely unconditional love.
Gothmog
(145,225 posts)Thank you for posting this great story
2naSalit
(86,600 posts)That happens too. Glad he was rescued and has a good home.
Mosby
(16,310 posts)Who knows.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Thanks!
cp
(6,628 posts)Thank you!
pdsimdars
(6,007 posts)Metalmom
(52 posts)He's a real cutie
bullsnarfle
(254 posts)there's something in my eyes...
BlueTexasMan
(165 posts)That's so wonderful for that old fella to be given a new lease on life. God bless that postal worker, if only that was the norm.
I found a dog like that once. He had been dragged, cut loose and thrown in the ditch. I took him to the vet and he slathered him with cattle wound dressing and gave him a shot. Charged me $10. I said I didn't really want a dog ( I was working out of town) and the vet just said, " Well, you got a partner now". I loaded him up, took him back to the cabin and put him in the corn crib. He healed up after a while and was soon getting on with being my faithful companion. I named him Pancho after my helper.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Thank you Mr. Ohlman for saving this sweet baby. So many people don't give older dogs a second chance, but you gave him an opportunity to live out the rest of his life as a happy, loved doggie.