Some people love the rain – some dogs, too. Others, like most cats, can’t stand it. To many, staying dry’s an important ingredient of a good mood.
Many dogs actually don’t like rain at all. A soaked mane isn’t exactly easy to carry around.
A security guard at Morrisons, a supermarket chain in Britain, recently asked himself the question – do dogs even like rain?
Since dogs can’t speak English, he opted to err on the safe side.
On one rainy day, this Morrisons guard approached an exposed Golden Retriever, shielding it from a downpour with a large green umbrella.
Well, this beautiful act of empathy soon went viral.
Shout out to this @Morrisons security man keeping this good boy dry. He said ‘well you never know how dogs feel about the rain’ pic.twitter.com/B9CPWI7u5Q
— Crisp Rat (@MelGracie_) June 28, 2020
That security guard’s name? Ethan Dearman. “Dearman” sounds like something straight out of a novel – a name that fits his character. Much like Samwise “The Brave” Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings.
He’s currently stationed at the Morrisons in Giffnock, Scotland. Meet Ethan:
The Golden Retriever was originally tied to a post outside of the supermarket. Although he was left before the onset of rain, the weather quickly changed while his human companion shopped.
Ethan was simply doing his routine rounds when he stumbled upon the stranded pooch. By this point, a drizzle had started, catching everybody by surprise. Notice how nobody in the picture (besides Ethan) even has an umbrella.
Ethan knew he didn’t have the authority to move somebody else’s dog. Instead, he did what he could with what he had.
He offered his umbrella.
Fortunately, 25-year-old Mel Gracie of Glasgow, Scotland was around to take a few photos.
She proceeded to put up the incredibly cute umbrella photo showcasing Ethan’s compassion on Twitter, adding, “Shout out to this @Morrisons security man keeping this good boy dry. He said, ‘Well, you never know how dogs feel about the rain.'”
Ethan soon garnered a downpour of praise online.
And deservedly so.
Ethan doesn’t take any measures to protect himself. To him, the only thing that matters is protecting his new Golden Retriever friend.
Within a few days, the photograph had received over 20,000 retweets and over 143,000 likes.
Some even likened Ethan to a hero.
Others went so far as to demand a raise for him, citing his willingness to help others, store patrons and pets alike.
Soon enough, the dog’s owner David Cherry found out about Ethan’s compassionate gesture, spreading the news on Twitter.
Thanks to security man @dearmanethan for putting the umbrella over Freddie when it started to rain! So kind! He’s always so nice to my brother Stuart, my Dad and our Freddie!Here’s Freddie when he was a puppy! pic.twitter.com/TJuX41ozFE
— David Cherry (@davidjcherry) June 29, 2020
Wow Freddie, you’re one adorable dog. David was so grateful that he included a follow-up Tweet stating,
“Our dog Freddie has went viral after a kind security man put up his umbrella for Freddie when it started raining at the Morrisons near my parents house. Good community vibes. People looking out for each other. He’s always nice to my Dad and brother, it’s nice to hear nice things.”
Morrisons soon found out about the gesture, retweeting the photo. The company then stocked its stores with 9,000 additional branded umbrellas, to keep customers and pet companions dry.
What do you think of Ethan’s compassionate gesture? Should all Morrisons security guards hold umbrellas for moments like these?
Ethan’s actions solidified him as an everyday hero. Not somebody in tights and a cape running around relentlessly fighting crime, but a real person spreading joy wherever possible.
I truly hope he gets that raise. He definitely deserves it.
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