A loving owner’s gratitude knows no bounds when it comes to the return of a lost dog. The relief you feel when someone returns your pet can’t be expressed in words and a cash reward – no matter how big – doesn’t compare to the joy you feel when you get to hold your dog again. So we totally understand why Rick Darge is raising money for James, the man who returned his beloved rat terrier.
Rick’s dog, Maya, went missing for a short period of time this summer, and Rick went the usual route of searching and putting the word out via social media. But while most of us would be out of our minds with worry, Rick says he knew that Maya was okay.
“I just had this crazy feeling that she wasn’t hiding out or dead but in the company of someone that temporarily needed her. Maya means magic and that’s what this dog is.”
After running off Maya made friends with a homeless man not far from where she went missing. The man decided to gift the dog to his friend James, who was going through a rough time. James, nicknamed “Canine” for his love of dogs, had lost his own pup only the week before and had been living out of his car with a friend, struggling to make ends meet. He accepted the pup and immediately fell in love with her, but only a few hours later found the I.D. tag hiding under the harness she was wearing. Though he had only just met Maya, James wasted no time finding a phone and calling the number on the tag.
“I can’t truly express the emotions I felt when I finally got that call,” Rick says. “I could feel the warmth of James’ heart through that conversation. He said that once he saw that she belonged to someone, he was devastated and knew what I was going through.
“One thing that stuck out for me the most is when my Mom and I were screaming for joy while holding Maya, James’ buddy Andy kept saying to him, ‘Look at what you did James. Look at their faces man. You did this.’ While Andy is saying this, I see a proud James, tears in his eyes, soaking up this moment of love.”
Rick, overjoyed, wanted to reward James with $200, but had trouble getting him to accept it! James didn’t want to be rewarded so much as he just wanted to reunite the two, but gratefully accepted when Rick insisted.
The encounter lasted a moment, but has left a lasting impression, and Rick isn’t done thanking James yet. He says that this act of selflessness has renewed his faith in humanity, and he wants to continue to show his gratitude for James, who he says is an angel on Earth. Rick shared his story on social media and has started a GoFundMe to help James. James’ simple act of kindness continues to spread, inspire, and touch people all over the world. The campaign has already raised $5,000 and donations continue to pour in! If you feel compelled to contribute, you can donate at GoFundMe.com.
“If you have anything to give today, tomorrow, the next day, please consider donating. A small financial contribution to this man will go way further than you think. I want to help this man. I want to let him know that people are touched by him and his actions so that he can continue to spread that to others. Change starts with mindset. It starts with one person, one at a time. We are all equal and everyone deserves love and to know that they are loved. This entire 36 hour ordeal from separation to reuniting showed me just how much love is amongst all of those around me, both near and far.”
H/T: people.com
Featured Photo: Rick Moonbeam Darge/Facebook
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