​

Henry And Rolf, The Abandoned German Shepherd Dog

This story is inspired by the true story of Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, for whom he continued to wait for over nine years following Ueno's death.

​

A Dreadful start, but will it get better?

​
​

Rolf, a 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy, was bought by a man and a woman from a hobby breeder. From a young age, he endured mistreatment from the man of the house, facing slaps and kicks for the slightest wrongdoing. Despite the harsh treatment, Rolf remained resilient even as a puppy, refusing to back down as he knew he had done nothing wrong. The woman, appeared fearful of her partner's abusive behaviour and did not intervene.

​
​

The abuse escalated as the man repeatedly kicked Rolf until the dog cowered in a corner or lay down in submission, yelping. Eventually, the man grew tired of Rolf and callously abandoned him at a remote nature spot late one night, leaving him tied to a post. Alone and helpless, Rolf spent a terrifying night tied up, unsure of his fate. Fortunately, he survived until morning when an elderly man, named Henry, discovered him during his routine morning walk.

​

The Good Samaritan

Confused by the sight of the abandoned dog, Henry hesitated but eventually decided to rescue Rolf. With gentle care, Henry untied Rolf and brought him home, showing the dog kindness and compassion that he had never experienced before. Rolf, initially wary due to his past trauma, gradually learned to trust Henry, realising that not all men were cruel like his previous owner.

​
​

Henry, a retired man living alone, became Rolf's devoted companion, providing him with food, walks, and companionship. Rolf, once scarred by mistreatment, found solace and love in Henry's care, forming a deep bond with his rescuer. Their daily routines and shared moments brought joy and healing to both Rolf and Henry, forging a heartwarming friendship that transcended the pain of Rolf's past.

​

Life Gets Better

Henry dedicated years to caring for Rolf, proving to be an exceptional pet owner. Financially he was quite comfortable, and whilst he bought high quality food and supplies for Rolf, he also didn't waste money on unnecessary toys. He didn't need to because he spent so much time with Rolf. They'd walk, but only so much that was comfortable for Rolf. Henry was aware of the spinal pain that Rolf suffered from. He also had an idea how it had happened, but kept a positive forward view, to make Rolf happy and comfortable.

Rolf, in turn, showed immense gratitude, displaying obedience and a kind demeanour towards Henry and his visiting family.

Henry's Health Declines

​

As time passed, Henry's health declined, leading to a period of hospitalisation. During this time, Rolf found a new home with Henry's compassionate son, Mark, who cared for him just as Henry had. Henry had relayed to Mark what a wonderful companion Rolf had been, and that it would mean the world to him if Mark would offer Rolf the same care.

​
​

Despite Henry's illness, Rolf remained a loyal companion, offering comfort by Henry's hospital bedside. When Henry returned home to spend his final days, Rolf was overjoyed to see him home, providing solace until Henry peacefully passed away.

Relentless Loyalty

After Henry's burial, Rolf would visit his grave daily, a touching display of loyalty. Mark's house was about a mile away from the church graveyard, and Rolf made a ritual journey to Henry's grave each day, despite the weather. Rolf was very happy at his new home with Mark, but eventually his own health declined.

​
​

Rolf's life came to a peaceful end due to health issues caused by his previous abusive owners. His vertebrae suffered irreparable damage that became progressively worse as Rolf got older.

In a poignant twist, Rolf was laid to rest next to Henry, where their spirits were reunited in heaven, whilst their bodies rested.

​

That's it for this month's newsletter. We hope you enjoy our latest content and find it helpful in your journey toward pet ownership. Stay tuned for more updates!

Keep learning and growing,

Andrew Bigwood Founder, Pet-Pledge

70, Pinewood Avenue, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3AB
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​