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IT’S A TOUCHING moment that gives an insight into not only the devastation caused to human and animal life by the Japanese tsunami, but how animals are banding together at a time of need.
A short video filmed by a Japanese TV crew shows two dogs left stranded, dirty and wet after the earthquakes and tsunami in the Arahama area of Sendai, Japan.
A brown and white dog is seen barking lightly at the film crew before sniffing around and seemingly guiding them down to where he has been taking shelter, beside a metal drum.
Half way through the footage, it becomes clear what the dog is doing – minding a fellow injured canine who is lying behind him in shelter. The white dog wakes up and it is then that the bond between the animals becomes clear – as his companion reaches a paw over to hug his ill friend.
According to a translation posted by the website Life With Dogs on Youtube, the men filming this scene say to each other:
We are in Arahama area. Looks like there is a dog. There is a dog. He looks tired and dirty. He must have been caught in the tsunami. He looks very dirty.
He has a collar. He must be someone’s pet. He has a silver collar. He is shaking. He seems very afraid.
Oh, there is another dog. I wonder if he is dead.
Where?
Right there. There is another dog right next to the one sitting down. He is not moving. I wonder. I wonder if he is alright.
The dog is protecting him.
Yes. He is protecting the dog. That is why he did not want us to approach them. He was trying to keep us at bay.
I can’t watch this. This is a very difficult to watch.
Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.
Yes! Yes! He is alive.
He looks to be weakened. We need to them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.
Oh good. He’s getting up.
It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It’s just amazing that they survived through this all.
After this touching footage was broadcast on television worldwide, and streamed on Youtube, millions of people wanted to know about the fate of the dogs.
According to Life With Dogs, the two dogs were rescued and are currently in a veterinary clinic, believed to be in Ibaraki.
Care for animals injured or stranded after the events in Japan is coming from organisations such as Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support, which is a coalition of three animal advocacy groups already working to rescue homeless animals in Japan, HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata and Japan Cat Network. It is providing updates on its Facebook page.
The American Humane Association, Animal Refuge Kansai, World Society for the Protection of Animals, and World Vets are all also working tirelessly to help animals in affected areas.
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The poor man I hope he makes a speedy recovery & gets the help he needs!
No doubt an addict stumbling across the road from merchants quay treatment centre. I’m forced to weave around one out of it on the road at least once a week there early in the morning each week. Hope he’s ok.
@thegreatdefector: still a human being.
@thegreatdefector: why do you have to contribute to the already existing stigma against addicts, it could of been anyone!!in any situation! from any walk of life, even someone who might of had to much to drink and fell. Be nice you pr*ck
@thegreatdefector: no you don’t hope he is ok , all you seem to care about is the inconvenience of weaving around some person in the morning once a week
@Patricia Mcnamara: well said Patricia. Because someone is an addict means they are suffering with a dreadful illness not that they are less human or expendable. There before the grace of God go I…. It’s someone’s son/daughter brother/sister.
@Trevor croft: Imploring someone to be nice while calling him a p*ick. Ironic that.
@thegreatdefector: Merchants quay treatment centre is open at 7am?
@JC: sorry jesus your right, I could of chose my words differently! Be nice you gobshi#te
@thegreatdefector: no doubt? How many of
‘ them’ have you heard of that actually fell in? In case you haven’t seen it, that bridge would need to be climbed or the person would have to have been ‘helped’ over it.The people who use that service have enough to struggle with in their daily lives without broad sweeping assumptions about them being thrown about as if they’re less than human.
@thegreatdefector: it’s the 65 thumbs up to your comment that’s frightening. May be maybe not a junkie but he is someones son.
@Thomas Claffey: I personally don’t like that word but it’s your mouth (or thumb in this instance) so fire away. My youngest brother, who died earlier this year, was an addict. You wouldn’t have been allowed to call him that in front of me without a dressing down I can tell you but your sentiment is correct. Everyone is someone’s son or daughter and entitled to basic respect. Will you please think about using that word to describe people? It’s hurtful to them and to those who actually know and care about them.
@Daff. Myers: sorry for your loss Daff. It’s a truly terrible illness. I hope he passed peacefully and is free of that demon now.
@Daff. Myers: it is what it is
@Daff. Myers: I am sorry for your loss. but I have walked in them shoes and was called that name .I was hooked on junk. Iam not someone that has not gone through it.
@Thomas Claffey: that makes it even more amazing you would use language that makes you appear to have no empathy. Why not use your life experience to educate and help? You’d be best qualified if you’ve lived through that and come out the other side.
@Mick Murphy: thanks Mick. We know where he is now and that nobody will ever hurt him again. And yes, at least he is free of the demon.
A sign of the times
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