I was reminded recently of a video a supporter sent me years ago that was a true representation of a dog’s devotion.
It begins with a little dog – maybe a terrier mix of some kind – running along a sidewalk. The video is obviously being filmed with a cell phone from someone in a vehicle.
The caption says, “This devoted dog sprinted after the ambulance as his master was rushed to the hospital.”
Apparently one of the paramedics noticed him in the sideview mirror and couldn’t figure out what was going on. You guys, this little dog KEPT UP with the van. I couldn’t believe it. I remember when I was a little kid there was a dog in our neighborhood that would notoriously chase cars. He would stay with the car as long as his yard held out, but gave up once he got to the end of his parents’ property.
This little dog, though, wasn’t stopping.
While paramedics worked on the man in the back of the ambulance, they slowed down a little and that dog actually looked up into the windshield and I swear made eye contact with the people inside, and there was such a pleading expression on his face.
He was telling them in the only way he could that he had no intention of stopping until they reached their destination. He’d been with them for a while, and he was panting.
They figured out he must belong to the man they had picked up and they tried to get him to stop by yelling, “Go home. Stop to rest.”
The dog didn’t give up. And he didn’t stop running.
One of the paramedics had said, “I had never witnessed such ardent emotion of love and loyalty.”
Eventually, the paramedics stopped, opened the back door, and the little dog jumped inside. He immediately settled down, seemingly content to sit by his owner while the paramedics worked. They said he didn’t make a sound and was completely and totally well-behaved.
The paramedics said they had never seen anything like it in their career. They admitted there were times a patient had pets, but most of them were too scared – probably completely freaked out at the noise and all the commotion – and they would run away.
Not this little guy, though.
He even stayed in the hospital as his owner received treatment.
I’m telling you, when that little dog jumped up into the back of that ambulance and settled in, you could see his soul. He had a connection with the human being on the stretcher and nothing – NOTHING – was going to keep him from being at his side.
You could definitely see the devotion in that little dog’s eyes.
The world we live in right now can get you down. Pretty quick. But we need stories and videos like this to remind us of the true joy and pure love that does exist out there.
If you would like to see this remarkable video, email me at [email protected], and I’ll send you a copy.
If you need a reminder of the good that exists in this world, this little dog will most definitely provide it.
Jennifer Vanderau is the director of communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, readers may call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates thrift stores in Chambersburg and Shippensburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the stores.
