A Dog Takes Care Of A Sick Child

That dogs are sensitive to human emotions and that they get along particularly well with little ones is nothing new.

But that does not mean that stories in which a dog takes care of a sick child cease to amaze us . This is the case of Haatchi, an Anatolian Shepherd , and of Owen, his human friend who suffers from a strange ailment. 

Dogs and children

Dogs are usually protective and loving with children and take care of them especially when they notice that they are suffering from a disease.

In addition, there are many dogs that are used as therapy animals to improve the lives of creatures with different ailments.

However, this time we want to focus on the unique relationship that Haatchi and Owen Howkins achieved.

The moving story of the dog who cares for a sick child

Haatchi is a dog with three legs and Owen is a 9-year-old boy who suffers from Jampel-Schawartz Syndrome, a genetic disease that affects around 100 people in the world and causes, among other conditions, that the muscles are in permanent tension and pain.

Since they have been together, little Owen has managed to overcome his fear of living with other people and is a happy boy. And his inseparable friend of games takes care of him constantly.

This conmevedora story was told in a video that has nearly four million views on Youtube called A Boy and His Dog ( A boy and his dog ).

There is also a Facebook page  that more than 186 000 followers and writer Wendy Holden has written a book to tell this particular relationship: Haatchi and The Little B .

The Haatchi Dog

Haatchi is an Anatolian Shepherd who, while still a puppy, was left tied to the railroad tracks in North London (United Kingdom) one cold night in January 2012.

A train ended up running over him and thus he lost one of his hind legs and a large part of his tail.

A gay couple rescued him from a kennel and, finally, he arrived at the London home of the Howkins family who, seeing his good-natured look in an advertisement on social networks, did not hesitate to adopt him.

The owen child

Before the dog’s arrival, Owen, aware of his illness and deeply depressed, had decided to confine himself to his wheelchair.

He felt different from his fellow students and could not find friends.

In addition, he had a fear of open spaces and, for this reason, he hardly ever left his house.

Haatchi and Owen

Haatchi’s arrival at the Howkins’ home turned Owen’s life upside down.

Almost immediately, the boy began to overcome his fears and anxieties.

He became more sociable and his fear of going outside disappeared.

His fear of strangers also disappeared and he began to speak to everyone who crossed his path about his beloved dog, whom he defines as the guardian of his soul and heart.

“The dog was created especially for children. He is the God of Joy. “

Henry Ward Beecher

A strange disease

Jampel-Schawartz Syndrome is a rare inherited disease that affects bones, muscles and joints and causes, among other disorders:

• Skeletal abnormalities
• Short stature
• Flattened vertebrae
• Poor bone mobility
• Myopia
• Language delay

Characteristics of the Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd or Turkish Shepherd is a breed that is characterized by its goodness and nobility.

These big guys can weigh up to 65 kilograms and are about 81 centimeters tall.

Dogs of this breed, which Haatchi honors, can be defined as:

• Loyal
• Protectors
• Territorial
• Watchmen
• Sensitive
• Stable
• Smart
• Independent
• Easy to train

An exemplary story

The meeting of a little boy who barely smiled, saddened by his strange ailment, and an animal with a past of abuse, achieved a happy present for the two protagonists of this story.

As if this weren’t enough, Haatchi was trained as a therapy animal, so that he can take better care of his friend Owen.

Surely there are many other stories in which a dog takes care of a sick child are happening right now. They will be more or less anonymous. But, in all, love is the constant.

Image courtesy of Keneth Cruz.