We Saved Each Other

The first attack came out of nowhere.  My prized hunting dog lashed out at my daughter and struck her between the eyes with his front canines.  Chaos erupted.  With blood streaming down her face, I rushed the dog out of the room and down into his kennel.  Off to the emergency room.  Michelle would recover with a well stitched scar on her forehead.

Never in my wildest nightmares would I foresee the next incident that caused my wife to be rushed to the ER with blood pumping out her ring finger and in between.  The surgeon cut off her wedding ring to stitch the hand.  This was getting serious.

Trouble struck as third time when my dog training buddy tried to show his prowess.  Sticking your hand into the mouth of a champion bloodline animal to prove labs don’t bite was a mistake.  They don’t let you off for a third offense.  No one would take my dog.  He was too dangerous, even for me.

Unbelievable.  Reed.  My best friend was going down.  The best trained.  The kindest animal.  Until bit by a Tick.  I hate ticks.  Their venom can cause a neurological disorder that equates touch to the feeling of a hot iron on your skin.

The only way for me to cope was to quickly find a new friend.  To fill that void.  

No one wanted Kota.  He was sick.  Had white patches on his purebred black body.  And wasn’t eating.  At 2 pounds he fit in your sweatshirt pocket.  I nursed him back to health and he nursed me back towards feeling less pain.

I will always remember Reed for the dog he was before he got sick.  A champion who helped create life changing experiences for me.

Today I’m thankful for Kota.  My rescue dog.  He’s a champion too!  Everyone deserves a chance.

– John Russell