That night, a guy named Bob Hoelter did something different. He would always drive 2 miles to the local store, but not this time. It was as though something made him walk instead of getting in his car. He now calls that force “an act of divine intervention” and we do believe he’s quite right.
“I usually drive. That night I decided I needed some exercise,” Hoelter said.
On his way to the store there is a bridge he has to cross over. And it was exactly where he heard the noise that would change one life forever.
It was a sound of pain and despair and Hoelter knew something was terribly wrong.
“I was looking at the water and the land, but I don’t see anything, but I hear it,” he said. “I walked back to land and I walked around and looked around.”
He wouldn’t just let the place before thoroughly examine every corner in hopes of locating the poor soul who was obviously in need of help. He even got on his hands and knees just to make sure he doesn’t miss the help seeker in case they were under the bridge.
“I get my flashlight out because I always carry a flashlight with me,” Hoelter said. “I got to the bottom. I finally see him!”
There was a tiny puppy, scared and trembling. Its eyes were looking straight at Hoelter’s, as though they were begging him to lend a helping hand. As he reached for the puppy, the man was shocked by what he noticed.
The pup’s muzzle was taped shut – wrapped tightly with electrical tape and it was heartbreaking to see.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, sh*t,” Hoelter said.
The first thing that came to Holter’s mind was to get the dog to Griffith Animal Hospital. On the way there, he was only praying for it to be open.
“I just threw him in my jacket, crawled back up and started hoofing it to the animal hospital,” he said.
This amazing man entered the hospital, holding the puppy in his arms, hoping it would get the much needed medical assistance. The hopsital manager, Lori Kovacich says she would never forget the sight.
“I was out of my chair and in the lobby to get him in seconds,” Kovacich said.
Kovacich didn’t even ask Hoelter what was wrong with the dog or where he found it. She just took it in her hands and alarmed the vets of the emergency of the case.
Hoelter felt relieved knowing the soul he saved was now in the safe hands of the doctors. He was certain they would do anything in their power to nurture the pup to health.
The vets felt devastated after they realized the tape was there for more than 4 or 5 days. How could someone be so cruel?
They got even sadder when they did a thorough examination. Sadly, the dog’s skin was in a terrible condition and one of its tiny legs was broken. The poor soul was only four months old.
The staff treated the pup with antibiotics and made sure they provided him not only with professional help, but a comfy bed, a bunch of toys, and endless love too.
Kovacich commented the case posting on her Facebook page, saying:
“In my 30 years of working here, I never thought I’d see this … in real life.”
The manager’s post vent viral in a blink of an eye. It resulted in many people being concerned for the dog’s health and among the well-wishers there was a couple who knew it was destined for them to welcome the pup in their family.
The Wittings have recently lost their dog and they instantly fell in love with this cutie pie.
“I thought, ‘That cute little face needs me. I can give him 24/7 love, and I need him,’” Witting said.
We are happy to tell you how they did adopt the sweet dog they later named Louie.
The Wittings were extremely grateful to the person who found the puppy, but then they realized they had no idea who that was. After they reached to the hospital that treated the pup they were told how a man brought Louie in the middle of the nigh after he found it under a bridge. But, Kovacich didn’t took his number nor his name.
Later, however, Hoelter’s niece saw the story of Louie which was viral already and informed her uncle how the people who adopted the puppy he saved wanted to meet him.
The niece and Kovacich organized the reunion which triggered flow of emotions.
“I was awestruck because I didn’t think he remembered me,” Hoelter said. “They sat him down and he ran right to me.”
Louie recognized the man who gave him a second chance for a better life and treated him with lots of doggy hugs and kisses.
However, he couldn’t stop thinking what would have happened to Louie if he didn’t decide to take a walk that night.
“It makes me think God has a purpose for everyone, to be honest with you. We all have our calling,” Hoelter said. “I’m going to have to walk more often, but I sure don’t want to find more dogs under the bridge.”
Louie is indeed one lucky dog. He had a rough start in life, but he eventually got his happy ending.
See the full Facebook post from the vet clinic below.
