Albert Schweitzer, the 20th century humanitarian, did his work through an ethical framework he called “reverence for life.” By that, he meant all forms of life. It’s always amazing to learn about stories in which human beings, known for creating many ways of killing and torturing human and other beings, will risk their lives to save an animal. That goes for the hunter who saves a deer, or follows an ethical guideline to assure the kill is immediate, and not some agonizing end.
Last month, Jude Mead, director of Operations for J&J Marine, in Lasalle, Ontario, led an international effort involving Lasalle Fire Services, BASF Corp. in Wyandotte, Michigan, and Rouge River Animal Shelter to save a dog stranded on an island in the Detroit River. Initially named “Miracle,” the dog had fled a coyote, fell into the icy river, and made his way to the island, frostbitten, dehydrated, and suffering from pancreatitis. He received emergency care at Woodhaven Animal Hospital, which later performed hip dysplasia surgery. Hip dysplasia is a painful abnormality in which the thigh bone doesn’t does not fit together with the pelvis as it should. This results in unequal leg lengths and limping. The veterinarian implanted stem cells into his joints to prevent the pain and “the horrible crippling bone deformity” that occurs with dysplasia.
According to Dr. Lucretia Greear, the vet at Woodhaven Animal Hospital, Mead and his team used an airboat on loan from BASF Corp., Greear said.”They physically went out to this small island where he was and they were able to physically rescue him,” she said. “He was hiding on this little uninhabited piece of land, but it was very difficult to get there because of the ice.
Dr. Greear noted that there were a lot of well-wishers, but after an application process that included a home visit, it was decided that Mead was the best suited to adopt the dog, he named Alphonso. As the Detroit Free Press summarized, “the dog entered the vet hospital as a frostbitten matted ball of fur. He defied the odds and survived the elements. Now, his story finally has a happy ending.”
Rescues occur on the lakes throughout the year. Professionals and common citizens do extraordinary things to save life. Albert Schweitzer’s reverence for life is clearly evident in the effort to save Alphonso.
Check out a couple videos about the rescue at DeadlineDetroit.com: https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/27398/video_dog_that_spent_4_days_on_detroit_river_on_way_to_recovery
Post written by Dennis Archambault
Photo credit: Friends of the Rouge Animal Shelter
