Truck Driver Reunited With Dog After Emergency

A truck driver, whose dog and co-pilot was rescued from his truck after an emergency trip to the hospital, almost can’t believe the kindness of strangers.

Francis Annala was driving through Portland, Oregon, when a severe foot pain caused him to seek immediate attention at the nearest hospital. He only had enough time to leave some water for his best friend and 7 year-long traveling companion Dutch.

After being examined and an emergency surgery for a bad foot infection, he told the physician assistant on staff that he was really worried about his buddy, who had been waiting in the truck most of the day.

“He was very worried and I think I would’ve felt the exact same way,” said Sarah Silvernail, physician assistant with Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

In a twist of good luck for Annala and fate for Pongo, Slivernail also volunteers for The Pongo Fund – an emergency pet food bank based in Portland.  With the help of the rescue director Larry Chusid, she set up Dutch’s rescue from the truck before temperatures could get hot enough to put Dutch in jeopardy.

For more than a week, Dutch was put up in a doggie hotel in downtown Portland, given food, water and walks and even comforted by a blanket from his owner.

“He’s having five-star treatment,” Annala said in an interview from his hospital bed. “He’s getting massages, I’m not even getting massages,” he joked.

Annala is hoping to be released from the hospital soon and reunited with his best friend so they can get back on the road.

To watch coverage of the story by KPTV Fox News in Portland, click here.

Source: www.kptv.com