There’s the sweetest quote from one of my favorite films: “You’re my Nemo. If you get lost in the great, big ocean, I will find you.” If you ever watched Finding Nemo then you will understand the gravity of this statement. When you love someone this much, you will do whatever it takes to make sure they’re safe. And if they need your help, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for them.
When Dan O’Grady, a truck driver, passed a little abandoned dog on the side of a highway in Jacksonville, FL, he felt a sense of guilt, and immediately exited the freeway, and hoped to get back to the dog before anything could happen to him. And he was in luck.
As he pulled over to help the little Jack Russel terrier, he noticed just how skinny this dog was. When he went to approach the dog, he just yapped and ran away. Every time. And he kept on running.
The dog led Dan into the woods, because after some time, it was clear to him that the dog wanted him to see something. And when the dog stopped at a bush, Dan looked underneath and saw a white domestic rabbit, just huddled underneath.
O’Grady, as explained by the Humane Society of Summit County online, decided to follow the little dog AND it’s a good thing he did!
“The frantic dog, a Jack Russell terrier, led Dan into the woods. It was clear the dog wanted him to see something. Under a bush, Dan saw a white domestic rabbit huddled there. Dan scooped up the rabbit and headed back to the truck and the dog followed.”
O’Grady put his new friends in his truck, offered them what food he had on hand and made his way to the closest shelter.
He gave them the perfect names too: Highway for the dog and Interstate for the bunny.
Once they arrived at the local shelter, O’Grady sadly discovered that the facility does not accept rabbits. They gladly took in Highway but Interstate had to be taken elsewhere. Knowing it was unlikely for the pair to remain together anyway, O’Grady agreed, especially since the local shelter could offer immediate veterinary care for Highway.
Dan remembered seeing rabbits at the Humane Society of Summit County so he called them up. They confirmed that they could help Interstate.
The Humane Society of Summit County posted this on their Facebook Page:
After confirmation we could care for a rabbit, he bought a crate and supplies for a make-shift bunny nest for Interstate and started the long drive north.
We took custody of Interstate in mid-January, and found him to be only about three pounds – bony and malnourished for an adult rabbit.
Who knows how long he and Highway had survived on their own in those woods. And what a lucky rabbit that Highway refused to abandon him when help finally arrived!
Highway has already been adopted from the shelter in Georgia.
Interstate is now a healthy weight of almost 5lbs, neutered and available for adoption.
Dan O’Grady literally went the extra mile to rescue Highway and Interstate.
We depend on good samaritans like Dan who rescue injured, abused and abandoned animals.
The story of the heroic dog went viral and there was an update posted about Interstate:
***UPDATE***
Interstate, the bunny that we featured the other day, has been adopted!
Thank you everyone for the kind, positive comments.
We are so grateful that Dan O’Grady took time out of his long truck route to make sure BOTH of these animals were taken to safety!
Both animals are safe and in forever homes thanks to a best friend who refused to leave his bunny buddy behind!
