When Kim Bradley received an early morning phone call, she didn't think twice about welcoming one more visitor into her home. But the heart-tugging tale of her new visitor still brings a tear to her eye.
A 40 year-old Nashville resident found himself in trouble when his mother, whom he'd been living with the last few years, passed away. Money was tight after her social security check stopped coming and the electricity had been turned off long ago. He was also jobless and behind on rent. Then, he received word that he was being evicted.
He was put out on the street on Monday afternoon, his only companion being an elderly Labrador mix that also served as his best friend over the years.
That's how this local dog owner ended up walking the streets, searching for help. Homeless shelters offered him a bed, but took one look at the old yellow dog by his side and wouldn't let him stay. He walked from one side of town to the other on foot since he didn't own a car, going into animal shelters and asking them to take his faithful friend.
His amazing efforts were met with sad looks and shaking heads. No one thought an elderly mixed breed dog would ever find a new home. They offered to put her to sleep as a last resort, but the dog's owner couldn't let that happen.
Instead, he kept walking.
That night, freezing weather hit the city. The two wandered the streets, getting kicked off properties for loitering and trying to keep moving to stay warm.
By morning, the man was exhausted and almost hopeless. His dog had nearly worn the pads off her feet from walking and was stiff from arthritis.
At 6:30 am Bradley received an urgent call from a friend who works for a non-profit humanitarian organization. Her friend asked if she had room for one more dog, and she said "of course."
Bradley has long been the go-to person for animals in need. She is not connected to any rescue in particular but used to own a grooming salon at her home, then a boarding kennel. Her commercial boarding kennel eventually turned into a service that provides low cost boarding to rescue groups. Dog rescue groups contact her as a last resort when they have run out of options. Homeless pets come to her when foster families can no longer care for a foster dog or there is nowhere else for a rescued pet to go.
Right now, she cares for approximately 25 dogs on a large property outside the city limits.
"Kuddles is a wonderful dog," she admitted when we spoke on the phone. "You can tell that she was very dedicated to her owner and still looks for him out in the yard. I couldn't bear to put her in a kennel so she's here in the house with me. She just barks when she needs to be let out. And nuzzles your hand for attention."
Kuddles is doing well in the hands of Bradley who is caring for the dog out of her own pocket right now. She was already spayed, but the kindly kennel owner had her vaccinated and bought arthritis supplements to help her feel better after the ordeal.
"She was in bad shape when she got here," Bradley said. "It was hard on an old dog to walk that far, but it's wonderful to see someone try so hard to save their pet. It really touched me."
"Kuddles deserves a good home," says Bradley. "If anyone can love an older dog, please apply! She needs a family of her own that will give her the attention she deserves."
The evicted owner stayed at a homeless shelter until his brother sent money. He then used it to get on a bus and is living with family out of state.
Kuddles is approximately 12-14 years old. She gets along fine with other dogs, but needs an indoor home. She is a house dog with good manners and quiet demeanor.
If you would like to adopt this special Christmas pet, you can contact Kim Bradley at k9equine@aol.com.
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