Whisker Therapy

In 2015, Tom Turcich started a journey to walk around the world. A few months in, he decided that he needed a partner for his adventure, so he adopted a puppy named Savannah. The pair have been traveling the world for the past seven years, and their expedition has now come to a satisfying end.

There were a few challenges along the way, including the pandemic and other sicknesses, but Turcich never gave up. Donations from his followers kept him going, and Savannah was always excited to continue walking. Now, getting used to living in one place will be an adjustment for both of them.

First Dog To Walk Around the World

Turcich started the journey from his home in New Jersey, and he just kept going from there. He spent nine years planning before he began walking. When Savannah was a puppy, he pushed her in a cart as he walked. But once she grew up, she walked beside him as much as possible.

The duo walked across six continents and 38 countries, walking between 18 and 24 miles each day. They spent most of their nights camping in a tent.

Turcich started by walking from the United States to Mexico and then through Central America and South America. Then, they briefly entered the tip of Antarctica before traveling to Europe and continuing their journey from there. They got stuck in Asia for a while during the pandemic, and once travel restrictions lifted, they flew to Seattle and headed back to New Jersey.

Traveling to different countries with a dog can be tricky, but Turcich spent lots of time researching the paperwork he needed. Plus, he was able to be patient if things didn’t go as planned. He wasn’t in a rush to get from one place to another, and he would never enter a country if Savannah couldn’t come.

Adjusting to a New Life

Now, after seven years away, Turcich is back in New Jersey with his friends and family. He became the 10th person on record to walk around the world, and Savannah is the first dog to do so.

“It was very surreal,” Turcich said. “I had imagined what the ending would be like for a long time. And when it happened, there were people lining the streets and walking with me. The primary emotion was just relief. This had dominated my life for 15 years, and to finally be able to kind of put it behind me was amazing.”

Turcich said he was first inspired to walk around the world after his friend passed away. Their death reminded him that life is short, so he decided to go for it.

All Savannah has known is traveling, so it will take her some time to adjust to life in one place. Savannah still walks four miles a day, and she seems happy to go home and take a nap after. Turcich said he’s relieved to be done traveling for now, and he’s eager to get into a rhythm in New Jersey again.

Featured Image: Facebook

The post After 7-Year Journey, Savannah Becomes First Dog To Walk Around The World appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Update 6/2/2021 –

After 8-year-old Bryson Kliemann sold his Pokemon cards to pay for his beloved puppy’s medical bills, the Pokemon company was touched. Most Pokemon fans wouldn’t be willing to give up their prized possessions so easily, so it speaks volumes about how much Bryson cares about his dog Bruce. So, Pokemon sent Bryson several Pokemon card decks and a copy of Pokemon Battle Academy to make up for the cards he sold.

“Hey Bryson, we were so inspired by your story about selling your cards for your dog’s recovery, these are some cards to help you replace the ones you had to sell,” Pokemon wrote in a letter.

Right now, Pokemon cards are hard to find in stores due to popular demand. Stores like Target and Walmart have even stopped selling them due to fights breaking out. So, this gift is extra special. Of course, no amount of Pokemon cards will be better than having a healthy puppy though.

“I’m happy he’s home, and I’m proud of myself. Now my brother and sister are playing with him too, and now I’m really playing with him pretty often,” said Bryson.

Bryson’s family ended up raising nearly $6,000 for Bruce’s parvo treatment. Since that’s much more than they anticipated, they will be using the extra money to pay for Bruce’s future vaccinations and to help other dogs in the community.

Original Post – 

We all have passions in life. And for eight-year-old Bryson Kliemann, it’s Pokemon. He has a large collection of Pokemon cards that includes some of the valuable originals. Normally, he’d refuse to give up his beloved collection, but Pokemon isn’t nearly as important as his puppy named Bruce.

When Bruce got incredibly sick, Bryson’s family couldn’t pay for the vet bills. So, without hesitation, the boy decided to sell his prized possessions to save his furry friend’s life. Thanks to the boy’s hard work, Bruce is alive and doing better than ever.

A Great Sacrifice

Bryson was organizing his Pokemon cards when he noticed that Bruce wasn’t acting like his usual playful self. He hid in his crate and seemed lethargic. After a visit to the vet, Bruce was diagnosed with parvo, a gastrointestinal illness that can be fatal to puppies if not treated. But the treatment was around $700, which was more than the family could afford.

“It made me kind of sad because usually my brother and sister play together and I don’t have anybody to play with. So, I usually play with him,” Bryson said about Bruce.

Bryson refused to let money problems end his best friend’s life. Pokemon cards are increasing in value recently, and many stores are consistently sold out of them. So, Bryson set up a stand outside his house to sell his collection. Bryson’s dad sent a photo of the Pokemon card booth to the boy’s mom.

“I know everybody likes Pokémon cards so I just decided to sell them,” Bryson said.

Pokemon Saves the Puppy

Of course, Bryson’s family didn’t want him to lose all his cherished Pokemon cards. Bryson earned $65 after one night of selling cards, but then, his family decided to find the remainder of the expenses themselves. Bryson’s mom shared the photo of his booth on social media, and she made a GoFundMe to help raise the remaining payments.

People quickly fell in love with the boy’s heartwarming efforts to save his dog. So, donations began flooding in like crazy. The GoFundMe ended up raising $1,900, which is way more than they’d anticipated. Thanks to all the generous people, Bruce was treated, and now he’s feeling better than ever!

“I was so happy because I really wanted to get him back,” Bryson said.

Perhaps Bryson can use the extra money to replace the Pokemon cards he sold. Or maybe the family will save it to make sure Bruce stays safe for the rest of his life. After all, there’s no bond like the one between a boy and his dog. And Bryson’s dedication shows that perfectly.

H/T: wcyb.com
Featured Image: Screenshots, wcyb.com

The post UPDATE: 8-Year-Old Pokemon Trainer Sells Card Collection To Save His Puppy’s Life appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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There are so many things wrong with this picture: a puppy was left in a car on a day where temperatures soared above 90 degrees while his owners (presumably) watched an entire baseball game. Luckily, fate had other plans for this little pup, and they did not include dying of heat stroke that day.

Royals fans Josh Lee, his wife Erin, son Hudson and brother Michael Warner left the game early during the 8th inning, reports The Kansas City Star. That’s when they heard a muffled whimpering sound as they were crossing the parking lot.

They pinpointed the car and saw a stressed-out puppy, about 16 weeks old, crying in the car. Luckily, the window was cracked just enough for the kind spectators to wedge their hands through the opening and force the window down far enough to open the door from the inside.

“While leaving the game, [we] heard a pup locked in a car. We rescued said pup and … turned him over to Royals staff who will keep him and deal with owners, if they claim him. If not, my bro will keep him,” posted Lee on Twitter. “People are dumb…Windows were cracked…we forced one down to open door.”

The rescuers then called the police, who worked with Royals staff to care for the puppy for the duration of the game, which went on for another 5 innings.

“They witnessed/assisted in getting in the car. We had water ready for him. They took him into guest service office and left a note for owner. [If] owner doesn’t claim, my brother will keep him,” Lee wrote in a Twitter interview, reports The Kansas City Star.

Had it not been for Lee and his family, this little guy could’ve been trapped in that car a full 13 innings–and probably wouldn’t have survived. According to the news story, no one had claimed the pup an hour after the game ended.

Royals director of guest services Anthony Mozzicato said that they rescue dogs trapped in cars about once a month, reports the article. He said, “I’m not sure why people do it. It puts us in a really awkward situation.”

This pup was fostered during his stray hold, but his careless owner never stepped forward to claim him. Josh Lee had considered adopting him, but was unable to due to breed-specific legislation in his community. Luckily, his brother was happy to welcome the puppy into his home!

The home team won that day, but Josh Lee and his family are the true heroes of this story.

(h/t: The Kansas City Star)

The post Royals Fans Bust Puppy Out Of Hot Car At Kauffman Stadium appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Herschel spent the first five years of his life chained in a lonely backyard. His teeth were worn down from attempting to chew himself free. After his rescue, the gorgeous German Shepherd was adopted twice, but returned both times. It seems his heartbreaking start to life left behind some emotional damage.

Luckily, things were about to turn around for Herschel in a big way!

Rocky Kanaka, passionate dog rescuer and creator of the Dogs Day Out web series, took an interest in Herschel (whom he affectionately refers to as Bear). He featured him in a viral video showing the dog seeing snow for the first time and giving out free “Bear” hugs.

The exposure worked, and soon Herschel was on his way to Washington to live with his new forever mom!

Kanaka wanted to share one more moment of firsts with his cuddly pal, so he planned a special detour to the beach on their way to Washington.

At first, Herschel gazes dreamily at the crashing waves. As his excitement builds, he begins to whine, and then cry out with elation. Get the tissues ready, this video is a tearjerker – in the best possible way!

After moving in with his new family, which includes two other German Shepherds and several acres to run on, Herschel’s mom shared several updates on Instagram. It turns out the burly pooch prefers the name Bear and has decided to go by it full-time.

He also decided that five years of isolation was more than enough. Bear now spends his time snuggling with his human and canine family members every chance he gets! Such a happy ending for a sweet, deserving dog!

Follow Dog’s Day Out on Facebook and YouTube for more heartwarming videos!

The post Dog Who Spent His Entire Life In Chains Visits The Ocean For The First Time appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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In Winchester in Hampshire County, UK, a construction worker named Matt Southcott was walking by a street when he saw a pile of rags. He didn’t pay much attention to it, because hey, why would anyone bother with a pile of rags on the side of the road? But what shocked him was when he saw the rags move. At first he thought they were sheep since their hair were so matted that they were unrecognizable. It turns out, what he saw weren’t rags or sheep at all–they were dogs with severely matted hair. But what’s even more heartbreaking was that they were a family of dogs–a mama dog and her eight puppies.

Upon realizing that the “rags” were actually a family of dogs, Matt immediately contacted the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSCPA) so they can be rescued.

It took the groomers around 3 hours to shave each dog. Not only were the dogs dirty and severely matted, but they got scared every time a human touched them. These dogs were seriously neglected and they may have been abused and beaten as well.

The dogs were so filthy, which showed that they got very little or no care from their previous owner. The mother dog even had stones trapped in her paw pads. When the groomer gathered all the matted hair they shaved from the dogs, they were able to fill three large sacks with them.

The mama dog, who was around 8-years-old, was named Sian; and her pups, who were around one-year-old, were named Fay, Mavis, Martha, Justin, Wills, Kate, Maria and Dave.

We are relieved to know that these dogs are rescued and are now being cared for.

A big thank you to Matt for not ignoring these dogs and for calling the authorities so they can be rescued. We are also very grateful for RSCPA‘s efforts in helping these dogs and taking care of them.

 

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You would be hard-pressed to catch anyone leaving Super Bowl LI early.

Last February’s football matchup was an eyes-glued-to-the-TV kind of game: The New England Patriots were making an unprecedented last-minute comeback.

And Mike Diesel was as big a fan as anyone.

“It was the fourth quarter,” he tells iHeartDogs. “And Brady had just made his first touchdown for the comeback and I was at a party watching the game.”

Then he saw something on Facebook and left the party with a few simple words: “I gotta go, dog hit by car “

 

The place where the dog lay dying was a 17-minute drive away.

Diesel made it in 13.

By the time he arrived, neighbors who had heard the crash managed to get the dog into a box.

Diesel, who founded Detroit Youth and Dog Rescue, took it from there, easing the injured dog — wrapped tenderly in a blanket — into the car before speeding him to a veterinary hospital.

 

The dog, who was soon named Knight Rider, or KR for short, was a graceful patient, even as his life hung by a thread. His temperature had plummeted. His leg was shattered and dislocated.  

But after two surgeries, KR made a historic comeback of his own.

It helped that Diesel built a special enclosure that let the man sleep alongside the dog for two weeks during the recovery.

 

 

KR’s still got a ways to go — and Diesel is trying to raise funds for the medical treatment KR still needs.

In the meantime, he takes the dog to water therapy twice a week.

 

Staples and steel bolts seem to be keeping KR together, along with an even more essential glue: his hero’s regular visits.

 

When Diesel visited KR at his temporary foster home this week, the dog, despite his still-tender muscles and bones, leapt into his arms.

 

“It amazed me,” he says. “That was the first time he did it.”

Diesel ended up missing the New England Patriot historic Super Bowl triumph. Instead, he won the heart of a dog who lay dying in the snow.

 

And every time he visits KR at his foster home, Diesel gets to lift the most precious trophy on Earth: an endlessly grateful animal, who will never forget the man who saved his life.

 

Update:

KR healed wonderfully and has since been adopted!

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The post Dog Left For Dead Leaps Into The Arms Of The Man Who Saved Him appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Lady, a 2-year-old Pit Bull/Chihuahua mix, loved her family more than anything. Whenever the family’s four kids would play outside, Lady wouldn’t be far behind. Until recently, playtime was relaxing and fun, but when a mountain lion approached the yard, Lady’s protective side kicked in.

In a horrific showdown, Lady fought the massive mountain lion to make sure it stayed away from her young family members. At first, she walked away from the fight, but she didn’t live much longer. The family is devastated by her death but also grateful for her bravery. She was a true hero!

Dog Takes on Mountain Lion

Virginia Havens from Colorado said her four children, aged between 4 and 11, were playing on the swingset in the backyard with Lady by their side. Virginia’s husband, Daniel, was outside cleaning the car when he heard a commotion out back. Lady was barking aggressively, which was unlike her.

When Virginia heard barking and screaming, she ran to see what was going on. Daniel was frantically leading the kids back inside while Lady was charging at a mountain lion. The large feline had been stalking the kids from behind the fence, only feet away from the playground. Virginia said the mountain lion was about five feet long, but their tiny dog wouldn’t stop attacking it.

The family wanted to help Lady, but it was too dangerous for them to get involved. They called authorities and tried throwing objects at the mountain lion in the meantime. Officers arrived within five minutes of the call, and they fired non-lethal bean bag rifle rounds, which finally scared the cat away.

RELATED: A Mountain Lion Was Going To Attack Her Dog Until Mom Figured Out How To Scare It Away

Lady came trotting back to the house afterward, but she was in rough shape. So, the family rushed her to the vet.

“She was bloody and had a hole in her skull,” said Virginia. “As she got closer, I could see her right eye bulging and she had labored breathing.”

Lady Sacrifices Her Life

The family wrapped Lady in a towel and drove her to the nearest vet. Right away, the vet informed them that the pup’s chances of survival were slim. The vet gave Lady pain medications, but she continued to whine uncontrollably. So, the family made the difficult decision to put her down.

“The kids were in a puddle of tears but seeing Lady like that also helped them understand the reason to let her go,” said Virginia. “We said goodbye and kissed Lady and thanked her.”

Luckily, the chances of the mountain lion returning aren’t likely. The big cats usually return to places where they killed prey so they can bury the leftovers and find them again. Even with that information, Virginia is still hesitant to let the kids play in the yard for a while.

RELATED: Footage Shows Doberman Fake Death To Survive Brutal Mountain Lion Attack

The family mounted a photo of Lady on their wall as a tribute. She cared about her humans so much that she risked her life for them. That’s a sign of true love and loyalty.

“Lady was our little angel,” said Virginia. “She was a warrior.”

Featured Image: YouTube

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