Richard Ewers, from the San Antonio area of Texas, has been rescuing abandoned animals for the past few years.
In fact, at one point, this animal hero had twenty-seven animals in total in his care. Unfortunately, Richard was then diagnosed with stomach cancer. That was last year.
Since the diagnosis, local rescue organizations have stepped in to support the seventy-one-year-old and have been helping to rehome all the animals living on his property.
They are down to eleven dogs – and Richard is down to one week left to live.
A Genuine Wish
Richard would like to see the remaining eleven dogs find new families before he succumbs to cancer.
That isn’t much time. Richard’s doctors have given him a week to live, and he has gone into hospice care for those final days.
Since he went into hospice, volunteers from Save Our Strays San Antonio have been going to his house to take care of the dogs and make sure they still feel loved. The dogs have been confused and frightened by all of the changes, but they are still doing well physically.
It’s not just Richard who wants them adopted quickly. The volunteers also want to find the animals new places to live as soon as possible.
Not only is it a man’s dying wish, but there is no longer electricity or running water at the home, which makes it a difficult place to safely shelter and care for the dogs.
Mary Oyler from Save Our Strays San Antonio told KSAT:
“They can’t be here much longer.”
Working Towards the Goal
A Facebook page called Helping Mr. Richard and His Dogs, San Antonio, TX https://www.facebook.com/HelpingMrRichardandDogsSATX/
has been created to encourage people to volunteer or adopt the dogs. The outpouring of support shown on the page is heartwarming.
The volunteers running the page have been visiting Richard in person and keeping everyone updated on his status. In addition, they have been reaching out to the man’s friends and family to make sure he is not alone in his final days.
They have also been giving everyone regular updates on the dogs:
“PUPDATE: Many of you are new to Mr. Richard’s story and do not know about Fruity, his most adored dog. Fruity is a little old lady chihuahua. When he was placed in hospice one of his caregivers found out about Fruity and asked to adopt her. Will as of 12 am yesterday; Fruity is in the most Loving hands she could ever be in, she has three sisters who will Love her and help her through her sadness of losing the only person that cared for her for so many years.”
We hope Fruity’s new family gives her all the love in the world.
Some of the dogs may not be the easiest to adopt out, but there is still hope that they all will be.
Many of the canines are accustomed to living with Richard and will need some time to adjust to things in their new homes. Some are already exhibiting signs of depression with their rescuer and friend now missing from their life.
They have been through a lot of changes recently, with their owner going into hospice and all the new volunteers showing up to take over their care.
If his care for them is any indication, they have a lot of love to give as well.
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