Mario Rodriguez is a Pit Bull lover from Georgia who works for a delivery company. He loved Pit Bulls for as long as he can remember and even owned several of them. So when he lost one of his adorable dogs named King in 2018, he was heartbroken and devastated.
Losing King left a hole in Mario’s home and heart. It was as if part of his soul went with his beloved dog. But the Pit Bull lover also knew that he had to move on and therefore made a promise to King. Since he couldn’t save him, he will keep other Pit Bulls instead.
In August 2018, Mario received an opportunity to fulfill that promise. He was in the middle of finishing a couple of deliveries in California when he received a text message from his wife, linking him to a Pit Bull in New York who was up for adoption.
The adorable Pit Bull’s name is Hickory, who reminded Mario of his beloved King. He fell in love with the dog as soon as he saw his photo, and he was ready to adopt this canine without a second thought. However, there was a problem: Hickory’s shelter is in New York, 2,800 miles from California. To make it worse, he found out that the Pit Bull was on top of the shelter’s ‘‘kill list’’.
Mario’s sense of urgency grew intense, and he contacted his employer to discuss a possible arrangement that would allow him to work and get Hickory at the same time. Fortunately, his boss found a way by assigning him to make deliveries that would pass by New York.
When everything was set, Mario made the life-changing trip and made the 2,800-mile drive across the country. He called the shelter multiple times, asking them to wait for him as he would come and get Hickory. It even went to the point when the shelter already knew his number, that every time he called, they assured him that Hickory was still there.
Finally, Mario arrived at his destination, the Animal Care Centers of NYC – Brooklyn, an animal shelter in Brooklyn, New York. When he went for Hickory’s kennel, the Pit Bull eagerly welcomed him. The relieved Mario then told his new pet that they were going home. After filling out the adoption papers, Rodriguez is now Hickory’s official adopter!
They began their adventure together by heading to their home in Georgia, where two more Pit Bulls, Angel, and Cooper, await their return. It was a relief when the three dogs became good friends and started playing together! Eventually, Hickory became Mario’s companion during long drives, and both of them enjoyed each other’s company.
Mario felt that King’s memory lived in Hickory, as well as in other Pit Bulls. He also expressed his plan to retire in about five to six years and put up a dog sanctuary for Pit Bulls like Hickory. For now, he savors every moment with his dogs, and through his experiences, he constantly reminds people that Pit Bulls are the best dogs and there is no reason to fear them.
Watch Hickory’s heartwarming story here:
Source: Zoo Land via YouTube
