North Carolina Vet Student Sees Someone Staring From Across An Island Shelter And Freezes
When a veterinary student met a nervous, emaciated dog in the Caribbean, they formed an instant connection. See how this special “heart dog” overcame his fears and health struggles to become a beloved family member and foster dad.
A Nervous Kid In The Caribbean
He was a nervous kid who thought the world was out to get him.
Reggie’s story began far from the comfortable life he knows now in North Carolina. He was originally from the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean.
When he was first discovered, he was in terrible shape. He was found emaciated and living in a junkyard.
He was battling multiple diseases and urgently needed medical care. Fortunately, the owner of the junkyard allowed rescuers to step in, take care of him, and get him the medical attention he desperately needed.
Locking Eyes With A Vet Student
Allie, a veterinarian, was just starting her veterinary school journey down on St. Kitts. Missing her own dog back home, she spent time meeting quite a few dogs on the island.
Then, she met Reggie. The moment they saw each other, they just locked eyes.
He was whining and absolutely adamant about being in her arms. He made it clear that he wanted to go home with her.
At the time, Reggie was still in the recovery phase, but he had made it through the worst of his illnesses.
Overcoming Early Fears
Allie lived on the island for two years, and Reggie was by her side the entire time.
However, his rough start in life had left its mark. At first, Reggie showed a lot of reactivity.
He would lunge and bark at almost anything that crossed his path.
Allie and her partner had to take things really slow. They dedicated a lot of time to training and making gentle adjustments to help him feel safe.
A One-Way Ticket To The States
Despite his challenges, the bond they shared was undeniable. Allie and her boyfriend (now husband) knew they couldn’t leave him behind.
They were so bonded with him that there was no question: Reggie was absolutely coming back to the United States with them.
Once he settled into his new life, his true personality began to shine through.
He revealed himself to be a goofy, grumbly, happy dog, always doing cartwheels and zipping around the yard.
An Amazing Foster Dad
Reggie’s family eventually grew to include three dogs and four cats, all coming from different situations where they needed help.
Working in the veterinary field, Allie found it hard to say no to pets in need, leading to countless fosters coming through their doors.
Through it all, Reggie proved to be an incredible asset. He became an amazing foster dad to the new arrivals.
He patiently shows the new animals the ropes and teaches them how to engage in appropriate play.
Leaving Fear Behind
When he’s not busy helping fosters, Reggie loves nothing more than being snuggled up in blankets and cuddled by his family.
All the slow, patient training from his early days truly paid off.
Today, Allie and Reggie can understand each other simply through body language.
He loves everybody he meets, and the intense fears that used to control him are a thing of the past.
Managing Health Hurdles
While his emotional scars have healed, Reggie has remained a bit of a “chronic kid” when it comes to his health.
He was diagnosed with a portosystemic liver shunt, a condition where an abnormal blood vessel shunts blood past the liver.
Because this can predispose him to other illnesses, his family made necessary life changes, including adjusting his diet and monitoring him closely.
Thankfully, with their careful management, he hasn’t shown the typical signs associated with the condition.
Hiking With A Special Backpack
These days, the family lives in North Carolina, and Reggie is dealing with a little bit of arthritis.
He used to go hiking with them all the time on the island, but the North Carolina mountains are just too much for him now.
To make sure he doesn’t miss out on the adventures, they got him a special backpack.
When he gets tired on the trails, he gets to ride in the pack. Because he’s such a baby at heart, he absolutely loves it.
A Heart Dog’s Legacy
Allie and her husband both feel an incredibly special bond with the dog they saved from the junkyard.
Reggie has been by Allie’s side through every difficulty she’s experienced over the past eight years.
While he sometimes feels the need to be her protector, they’ve worked to assure him he can just relax and be a dog.
He is undeniably their “heart dog.” For Allie, the journey has taught her to cherish every single day as one more special day with him.
