09/01/2020
A beautiful story from a friend, Pit Bull Dog lover, and fellow dog trainer, Ashley Tucker ·
**Long post but worth the read!**
Yesterday I recieved a message from Rolo's, now Rico, adopters. It was actually the wife that messaged me through the husband's account. The message said "Hey Ashley. This is Fernanda, Rico's mom. Can you call me when you have a chance?" Now anyone in rescue instantly gets a bad feeling when you get a message like that. I started planning in my head how I was going to get this dog back from Georgia and where he would go. I reluctantly called her and asked if everything was ok. She then shared with me the most heartwarming story I've yet to encounter in my 12 years of rescue....
She started by saying, "This dog is amazing and you are never getting him back. About 3 weeks ago Keith had a stroke in our living room. I was asleep and had no idea what was going on. Rico flipped out and started barking and carrying on. Rico woke me up and I went to find Keith. He was laying unresponsive on the floor. I called 911 and we were able to get him help quickly. The doctors told me that had treatment been delayed that Keith would have surely died. This dog saved my husband's life!"
I instantly got chills when she told me all this. Rico literally saved someone's life. This is a dog that barely made it out of the shelter. He had been adopted and returned twice and even the caretakers at the shelter were unsure if he would make it out. He was just so wild and uncontrollable in the shelter environment that his chances were slim. Thank goodness K9JL and Jessica stepped up to pull him. He was with me for 4 months. And even I started to have doubts about him and if the right fit was out there. But after reaching out to Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and Lynn at the Stafford Knot for help in marketing him we got some great applications. One stood out - Keith and Fernanda. But they were in Georgia. The idea of letting this little guy go so far was super scary but after the first time I spoke with Keith on the phone I knew Rico had found his forever. Keith flew from Georgia to pick Rico up. They drove back to Georgia together, stopping several cool places along the way. Keith saw the potential in this dog but I dont think he ever thought something like this would ever happen. Fate has a way of putting the right dog with the right person and I'm so glad it worked out. Not only did Rico save Keith's life but is now visiting Keith regularly while he recovers at a rehab facility. On top of that, Rico has been so good with Keith, he has started visiting other patients that are there as well.
I knew Rico had potential but to be able to go into a rehab facility and comfort the patients there is beyond my wildest imagination. Rico was by far one of the wildest, naughtiest, most out of control fosters I've ever had. To hear this story is proof to me that everything happens for a reason. Rico ended up exactly where he is supposed to be. The first time I spoke to Keith on the phone I asked him "Why this dog? Why a dog so far away? Surely there are plenty to rescue in your area?" Keith responded with, "The first time I saw his picture I just knew he was destined for bigger things".
And bigger things he has done!
*Keith is currently recovering in a rehab facility. He is doing well and the doctors believe he will make a full recovery. Rico visits as often as possible and will continue to help Keith and other patients on their road to recovery.
