No one admires a human more than his own canine companion! And, when the unavoidable occurs, bidding farewell is immensely challenging. It’s difficult to fathom the depth of anguish German Shepherd, Gunner, experienced when he lost his 64-year-old owner, Luther.
This unfortunate pup was discovered in Luther’s yard, confined in an outdoor enclosure for as much as a month when the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office found him.
Gunner was exceedingly frail, subsisting on rainwater and scavenging for food remnants left in the pen to survive. It is fair to assert that this German Shepherd was extremely close to death that day!
Gunner Was Already On The Brink When The Sheriff’s Office Found Him
Upon the Sheriff’s Office discovering the remains of his deceased owner, Gunner was simply too weak to stand! He lay there in sorrow, grieving the loss of his beloved human.
To make matters worse, Gunner was critically malnourished, as he reportedly spent nearly a month imprisoned in a pen without adequate nourishment and hydration.
Luther’s relatives remarked that he was “a man who kept his word.” Sadly, he lived quite a distance from the family, and they hadn’t heard from him in quite some time. When they received the tragic news, they were utterly heartbroken!
The Sheriff’s Office got in touch with the Bella SPCA rescue in Oklahoma City, where Gunner was subsequently relocated. The veterinarian who examined him that day declared that Gunner was brought in just at the right moment, as he was merely hours from death.
His muscles had largely deteriorated to the extent that he could barely lift his head. He was covered in lumps, and fleas and ticks infested his body, yet he persevered! It was evident that Gunner was a survivor determined to live, and he had never lost hope!
Owing to his dire condition, he was swiftly transferred to Woodlake Animal Hospital for restoration.
He Received All The Care In Woodlake Animal Hospital
Everything about Gunner was heartbreakingly sad yet profoundly inspiring simultaneously!
He was a distressed dog who lost his cherished owner, but regardless of all the challenges, he was not prepared to bid farewell to this life! Something deep within him sustained him throughout until miraculous aid finally appeared.
He quickly became a favorite at the hospital, with all staff working tirelessly to get him back on his feet!
Misty Wilson, an R.V.T. from WAH, became quite emotional about Gunner: “It’s hard when you rescue these dogs, seeing them in such a broken state, and you hope for their recovery… We have clients who come by, hug him, and offer him treats.”
Gradually, he began to regain his strength, as reported by the hospital personnel. His appetite improved, and he finally felt robust enough to walk again.
“We’re doing so much better! We love to stroll now, we adore being outdoors, and we’re eating well. He has a fondness for chicken and cheese. He takes all his medication. He’s such a good boy! We just want to ensure he remains healthy and calm.”
Gunner Remains Within The Family
The Bella SPCA team was overjoyed to witness Gunner thriving again! Amidst all the struggles he faced, he was prepared to begin a new chapter in his life.
Once Gunner was finally ready for adoption, Luther’s niece from Texas reached out to the Bella SPCA. She was determined to ensure Gunner remained within Luther’s extended family, knowing how much he cherished his German Shepherds!
She expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in rescuing Gunner from starvation in a deeply emotional video message:
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to Gunner’s rescue! Thanks to you, I am able to bring my uncle’s dog back home.”
A Heartfelt Thanks To The Local Community
The Bella SPCA expressed immense gratitude to all those who played a role in this remarkable rescue! They were sincerely appreciative of the Sheriff’s Office for reaching out to them initially, and also to all the individuals who generously contributed towards Gunner’s medical expenses.
“Thank you immensely for all the support you’ve provided. It has substantially aided in covering his costs and providing him with plenty of food. We are thankful for the toys you’ve gifted him. He adores them! He snuggles with them every night!”
Gunner’s joyous conclusion will remain a true testament to what humanity can achieve when united! We wish him and his new family an abundance of happiness!
Feel free to view the full story in the video below!
Until next time, PupViners!