Driver Pulls Over To Help A Stray, Then Dog Leads Him Into The Woods

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.

For an abandoned dog, found in Florida, he understood that a friendship this special is impossible to ignore.

While driving down a Florida highway, a truck driver named Dan O’Grady from Ohio, spotted a small pup all by himself on the shoulder of the road. O’Grady pulled his truck over and attempted to help the dog but as he got closer, the pup barked, then retreated back into the wooded area near the highway.

Humane Society of Summit County/Facebook

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.

Humane Society of Summit County/Facebook

He gave them the perfect names too: Highway for the dog and Interstate for the bunny.

Humane Society of Summit County/Facebook

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.

Humane Society of Summit County/Facebook

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:

Humane Society of Summit County/Facebook

***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!

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