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©(2007) The Saginaw News. All rights reserved.
Used with permission of The Saginaw News |
| Richard Reister and David |
The HSUS Lends a Hand This Memorial Day
By Tracey McIntire
Richard Reister and David depend on each other. Richard is a disabled U.S. Army veteran who has trouble walking. David used to be by his side constantly. David helped Richard to maintain his balance and learned to help him up the stairs.
But now it is David who has trouble walking, and Richard is determined to do everything he can for his best friend.
David is a 3 year-old mixed breed dog who has been diagnosed with a hip deformity. The vet says it will cost about $8,000 to replace David's hips. Raising the money is proving to be quite a battle for Richard, who survives on Social Security disability. But the veteran soldier is beating the odds and inching up on victory.
In April, fliers started appearing in the Michigan town where Richard and David live: "Attention. $10 gets your lawn cut and trimmed. Disabled vet needs work to pay for surgery for my dog and best friend."
"I've had David since he was 6 days old. David is my heart," said Richard. "Without him I couldn't go on living. I love him so much. You'll do whatever you have to do for someone you love." David used to accompany Richard around the clock but now because of the pain, David spends more time at home. "He crawls into bed with me at night, lays his head on my chest, and falls asleep," said Richard.
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I've had David since he was 6 days old. David is my heart. Without him I couldn't go on living. I love him so much. You'll do whatever you have to do for someone you love. |
David has come back from health issues before. When he was a puppy he lost an eye while playing with another dog. Richard has fought his own health issues too. After serving almost 20 years in the Army and Army National Guard as a tank mechanic, he was left with a bad back and neck and hardly any feeling in his legs. He also has trouble with his hearing.
But he is still willing to mow lawns to help David walk again.
The veterinarian says that if David does not have surgery, he may soon be in too much pain and Richard may have to consider euthanizing his friend. But that is not something Richard is willing to do. There is still too much fight left in both of them.
Luckily, Richard's story has generated a huge response from the media and the general public. He has been interviewed by television, radio and newspapers from all over the country, and people from as far away as Iraq have called to donate money, even if they did not have any lawns for Richard to mow. If all goes well and Richard has extra money, he has pledged to send it to a charity that helps animals.
The Humane Society of the United States donated $1,000 for David's surgery.
"When The Humane Society of the United States saw Richard's story in The Saginaw News, we knew that we had to step in and help," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "There is no greater way to celebrate the courage of this veteran who is giving his all for his best friend."
David and Richard are fighters, and they are best friends. And they will lean on each other and get through this together. No need to mow the lawn here either.
Tracey McIntire is a public relations specialist with The Humane Society of the United States.
