Hercules was adopted by a couple in Hillsboro, Ohio, who saw the ailing 135-pound St. Bernard at the animal shelter and feared he would be euthanized.
Six hours later, the heroic canine repaid his new owners’ kindness when a dark-clothed thug broke into the couple’s house.
The man had cut the phone and cable lines running to the home of Rubert and Elizabeth Littler and had sneaked into their basement.
Mr Littler was taking Hercules outside for a walk when he began to growl, sensing the intruder that his master did not know was there.
Suddenly, Hercules pulled away from Mr Littler and broke through the closed screen door.
‘The guy must have just come up out of the basement when he heard me open the door. Hercules jumped off the back porch, over the stairwell, and I see this guy running toward the fence,’ he told the Times-Gazette in Hillsboro.
As the intruder ran, Hercules was close on his heels.
The burglar climbed over the fence and Hercules chomped down on one of the man’s ankles.
The thug managed to break himself free and fled.
Police suspect the man could be a serial burglar. A person matching his description broke into an occupied home the night before.
And the night after his encounter with Hercules, police believe the man might have stuck a third time.
Hercules took a difficult journey to the Littlers’ home. Two people hiking in the woods found him laying in the middle of a trail. He was so weak and mangy that they men thought he was a fallen log.
How he got into the woods is unclear, but he had been attacked by coyotes and was badly malnourished and dehydrated.
The hikers collected the dog and brought him back to to Hillsboro, where they nursed him back to health before taking him to the local animal shelter.
That is where the Littlers met him.
‘Originally, we adopted him because we didn’t want him to be euthanized. We thought we’d get him back up and going and see if we couldn’t get him a new home or some rescue group to take him,’ Mr Littler said. ‘But now we don’t know what we’re going to do. I think he’s more or less earned his right to stay.’
Nice kind story!)) Ilike it!) Thnaks!
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Great story! One comment, though…please please please proofread before posting. Spellcheck isn’t enough. Don’t mean to take away from the beautiful story… :)))
oh gawd, are you kidding? is this being graded? are you the internet spelling and grammer police? hey, why don’t you do us ignorant peasants a huge service and rewrite the story the way you think it should have been written and we’ll grade you on it! geez
Overall a pretty good story. Though this statement made Mr. Little for me is concerning……Mr. Little stated, ‘Originally, we adopted him because we didn’t want him to be euthanized. We thought we’d get him back up and going and see if we couldn’t get him a new home or some rescue group to take him,’ Mr Littler said. ‘But now we don’t know what we’re going to do. I think he’s more or less earned his right to stay.’
Adopting him to find him a home or a rescue? And now they don’t know what do to? The dog earned his right to stay? Wait. They adopted him! and from the shelter. Adopting an animal means giving them a forever home.
This is a Great Story on how a dog can predict and protect even if it is not their own family.
I’m with you…obviously the Littles are oblivious at the current critical condition abandoned pets are facing these days. ALL rescues are overwhelmed with the number of animals they currently have! – and the comment about “I think he’s more or less earned his right to stay”? HUH? The dog just saved your butt. What was he thinking when he made that statement?
I’m with you…obviously the Littles are oblivious at the current critical condition abandoned pets are facing these days. ALL rescues are overwhelmed with the number of animals they currently have! – and the comment about “I think he’s more or less earned his right to stay”? HUH? The dog just saved your butt. What was he thinking when he made that statement?
they should keep him without a doubt!
Way to go Herc!!!!! If only everyone on this earth would realize “this is what animals do for us!”Then the shelters would be empty!!!
Hercules definitely earned his right to stay and also earned a big steak if you asked me!! Of course lots of belly rubs , head pats, and ear scratching!. Love him forever!!!
I totally agree with you Zeern!! How could they have Any doubts about it?
I believe, & hope, Mr. Littler chose the wrong words… Some people can put their feelings into words better than others. He obviously loves animals. He saved a dog from a being euthanized. Many do not even take that step. Let’s be a little kinder to all mankind.
What a good dog. He deserves a steak and be let to sleep in bed. 🙂
Lovely story. Agree that adoption should mean a forever home and let’s hope he’s found it, but the Little’s did a great kindness to him by taking him. Just like dogs, people need some positive reinforcement too. I’m sure after this the bond will be cemented and he won’t be going anywhere!
He’s a part of your world now, he deserves your love and to be spoiled by you and any who visit your home for what he experienced before you even brought him home. To have such a forgiving, loving heart is to be treasured in both animals and humans…..