Then, without warning, you come across something you never expected to see, and at some level you wish you had not seen, but nevertheless I feel lucky to have had experienced.    In mid September I arrived in Fallon, NV. As I did twice a week, I check into another Motel 6 and prepare for the next days work at the local military base.    However, this town and Motel was to have an unexpected impact on me that I was unprepared for.  

The sun was setting on our first day in Fallon as my 11-month-old Shepherd "Stormy" sat by the door. With a few low barks and a growl, she let me know it was time for her walk, so with leash in hand and her favorite for ball, we left the room and headed toward the sandy field in the rear of the motel for her evening run before dinner.

This was then we met Jack, and his owner Dick. Jack's tail is one that starts sadly, but has an unexpected ending that might have been written for a book or movie. Being a dog owner and lover, I saw this 90 pound dog, and even from across the parking lot I knew he was friendly. As I approached his tail creating a dust storm as he trembled with excitement to meet a new person.

As with all strange dogs I approached slowly and ask his owner it was okay to pet him, and after being told he was friendly, I scratched his neck and ears.  During this time, I was trying to find a polite way of asking what happened to cause the amputation of Jack's leg.  The first thing that came to mind was a birth defect, as I had seen it before. Unable to find just the right words, just blurted it out. "I hope you don't mind, but what happened to him".  However, the answer he gave was one I was not prepared for.

A few years ago, a guy in Los Angeles owned Jack. He was one of those that thought it was cool to have a dog riding in the open bed of his pickup, or didn’t want dog hair on his seats of his new pickup truck. Either way his choice was the beginning of Jacks horror, and his destiny to help others.

One day while traveling on the interstate 5 outside of Los Angeles, Jack either jumped, or fell out of the truck and was severely injured.  His front left leg was shattered, and he had serious internal injuries that most dogs or humans would not have survived.  The owner seeing he was almost dead, took Jack to the local SPCA, and dropped him off to be put to sleep. Once he left, the veterinarian decided to attempt to save Jacks life. After many hours of surgery, and the amputation of the front / left leg, he was given a second chance at life, but no one knew what kind of life it would be. How many people would want to adopt a three-legged shepherd?

As the weeks past, Jack slowly regained his strength, and learned to walk again.    However, the possibility that Jack would be put to sleep loomed as they looked for someone that would be willing to adopt a handicapped pet. With no prospects the SPCA turned to the news media for help in finding him a new home. The news director seeing a good human-interest story sent a crew to the SPCA, and after the story aired that evening they hoped he would be enough to find them home.

That night Dick was relaxing at home and saw a news story about jack, a 2-year-old German shepherd, his accident, the injuries and the surgeries it took to save his life. Something about the dog tugged at his heart, so the next day he went to the SPCA to inquire about Jack. He ask if anyone else had called to adopt him. however, it seem that he was the first, and after the standard adoption information was given, Jack had a new, and loving owner.

In the years since Dick adopted Jack, they have embarked on a special mission that Jack seemed destined for. Today, Jack has a new and very important job as an inspirational visitor to hospitals and nursing homes. Letting people with disabilities see that if a dog can overcome life threading injuries and a disability, then they can overcome whatever life brings. Seeing this 90-pound gentle dog hop in on one front leg seems to make one forget about their injuries, disabilities and other problems. At lease it did for me as I bent over to pet this gentle animal.   With his deep brown eyes that seem to look into your soul, saying everything will be all right, and with a demeanor that would make anyone comfortable around him, Jack just wants to be your new friend. No questions, no demands, just complete acceptances as his newest friend.

I believe there are a few important lessons for those that place their pets in the open back of trucks. First, your pet trusts you completely and unconditionally. Secondly, they would never put you in danger, so why would we put them in harms way. If you are one of those that let your dog ride in a open truck, take a good look at Jack’s picture and realize just how dangerous it is. Then ask yourself; if you would let your children ride back there?   Most pet owners consider their pet’s part of the family, so why do they put them in danger?   In many states, it’s illegal for humans to ride in the back of a pickup, so why don’t we afford our pets the same protection?

After meeting Dick and Jack the reality of the foolishness of allowing my dog to ride in the back seat with the window down sank in as I realized that if a dog could jump out of a truck, what would stop Stormy from leaping out the open window.  

If Jacks story does little more than to make pet owners think before putting their pets in the back of an open truck, his life of pain and injuries might have served a purpose greater than many could understand.

Author: Karen E. Johansen - WB5GEO
August 2004