This sick veteran was forced to give his dogs to the pound then later staff gave him painful news
James pack a 58 year old man from Newark Delaware had to face the heartbreaking reality
That he couldn't keep his beloved dogs after suffering a serious heart attack
And when none of his family members had the means to look after his pets
His only option was to surrender them to the first state animal center an SPCA in nearby Camden
he'd adopted the dogs from two separate litters when they were both just 8 weeks old at
The time of his illness blaze was about to turn 3. Well Bailey was on the verge of his second birthday on
September 25th, 2015
Animal Control picked Bailey and blaze up for safekeeping after the veteran was taken to hospital
following his heart attack
Dogs were usually kept at the center for five days, but despite wanting to get his pets back more than anything
Peck was in no fit state to reclaim them. So the shelter eventually held them for 20 days
Before opting to put them up for adoption
The staff there made the decision after being told pack might not survive his illness
Peck and his Labrador pitbull mix puppies were separated for 90 days in all while he received treatment his hospital
Stay took longer than anticipated
when he suffered an infection following his surgery as a result his left side of his body became paralyzed for a period
He didn't have anybody to care for his two dogs
So he had to surrender them Lindsey Carruthers from the Camden SPCA told the Delaware state news
She went on to say that even though Pat could hardly talk. He'd still call up to see how the dogs were
Carothers added that both dogs were adorable and that pack has them trained to achieve
Yet despite the two animals being so well-behaved. They still didn't catch the eye of any prospective dog owners
they were consequently taken to the SPCA's adoption center, which is located at a pet smart store in nearby Dover and
Having recovered somewhat from his illness Peck went to be reunited with his dogs at the Dover Center
It was an emotional reunion
Lindsey Carruthers were called he was emotional the dogs were excited to see him
it was completely hard touching everybody crying and
Melissa eagle one of the staff at the first state animal center happened to be transporting another dog at the time
eagle saw pack with his dogs and was taken aback by how in ah,
He was packs at with him on the floor as the animals licked him and went crazy with happiness
It was during this tear filled reunion moreover that pack realized he'd found somewhere to live and it was dog friendly
Because Bailey and blaze had been surrendered for possible adoption. However, he was required to pay a
$210 fee in order to reclaim his dogs and
pack didn't have the money but
After spending some time with his puppies before leaving pack put down a deposit
He promised to return with the cash to retrieve his dogs
Even if he had to sell his car to do so, I was going to the scrapyard to scrap my car. He later revealed
Fortunately for mr. Peck christmas came early in the form of melissa eagle
she's worked in various positions for the center and now takes care of transportation for animal control an
Eagle suggested that the staff should pitch together to help reunite pack with his pack
In fact, one of the volunteers Chris Malick went ahead and paid the adoption fee others
Meanwhile chipped in with new dog toys treats and gift cards the team consisted of Malik Eagle Carruthers Linda Palmer
Shannon Garrett Laura Allen, melinda santiago and her husband who all banded together to surprise pack that same afternoon
They also created a GoFundMe page to open up donations to the public and the story soon went viral
With the page raising half of their goal in just 24 hours
The total quickly reached seven thousand thirty-five dollars in fact two thousand more than their target
So the team closed down the page after giving heartfelt thanks to all the donations
What's more they recorded the entire exchange on video and that included capturing the moment when PACs deposit was handed back to him
Initially he raises his hand to his mouth under the impression that he's being informed that he can't get his dog's back
Lindsey Carruthers was quick to reassure him that yes, he was getting his dogs
But his money was being rejected because of all the donations from the staff and volunteers
Peck kissed his hand and lifted it towards the sky saying this is unbelievable. Thank you and
When PAC was finally reunited with Bayley Emblaze his disbelief turned to joy
Bailey barked and covered pack and kisses. Well blaze pressed against his much missed owner and got a few licks in - I
Don't think there was a dry eye
Carruthers said about the touching reunion and
The Vietnam veteran was also sent home with his arms full of donated goods
This is a miracle. He later said after 90 days. I figured they'd be gone
He added that the dogs are settling into their new home. Well
And that I let them stay in bed with me last night until they pushed me onto the floor
wanting to spoil them a little upon their reunion he decided to let the dogs have the bed on their first night at home and
Moved to the couch but not wanting to be separated from him after so long apart the dogs joined him there
Now pack a veteran with a construction management degree has had to leave his work as a tractor driver because of his heart condition
but after his recent medical emergency
he learned about the Delaware Commission on Veteran Affairs and the federal Veteran Affairs resources available to him and
These include being provided with the necessary training to embark on a new career
Pech said that he had no idea at the time that veterans could help
Thinking back to when he was looking for somewhere to live prior to his hospital stay
Back, then he'd even considered taking the drastic step of living in his car with the two dogs
With the story going viral the team at Petsmart meeting their funding goal in just two days and the heartwarming reunion video being posted online
Bailey and blaze were invited to appear on Fox & Friends in New York and you can see why
What a wonderful reunion story it is