Pit bulls, these bundles of love, unfortunately face euthanasia in high-kill shelters due to their breed. Mario Rodriguez, in California for a delivery, received a link from his wife concerning a Pit bull named Hickory that was on the verge of being euthanized. The moment he laid eyes on the dog’s face, he felt an overwhelming affection. Hickory reminded him so much of his beloved Pit bull, King, who recently passed away.
Mario’s connection with pit bulls began during his childhood and he couldn’t bring himself to deny Hickory the opportunity to enjoy life. He mentioned, “My family collectively raised this breed. I also raised my own kids with these animals. They are very affectionate creatures.” Time was running out as Mario was working in California. He made the daring decision to make a few calls at the office. The drive from California to New York can take almost two days without any breaks.
Thankfully, they managed to plan a truck route to bring Hickory to New York. As soon as Mario hit the road, he repeatedly called the shelter to ensure Hickory was safe from harm. “I contacted the shelter every day. On the third day, they recognized my number. They said, ‘Yes, Mario.’ It’s still there. It’s still there,” Mario explained.
With a newfound determination, Mario accelerated his driving, eager to reunite with the newest addition to his family. The sheer excitement and evident understanding that Mario had come to bring him immense joy made Hickory’s reaction the most “surprising” of all. Mario shared, “He started wagging his tail frantically the moment I said we were going, and he wouldn’t stop jumping on me and showering me with kisses.” Upon arriving home, Hickory quickly befriended his two new pit bull brothers. However, when Mario had to go back to work, Hickory clung onto him, not wanting to let him leave. Ultimately, Hickory became Mario’s new co-pilot, the perfect solution for their family.
Hickory has become Mario’s dream companion, and they are both content as they embark on uncharted territory together. Mario remarked, “We often stop by parks and farms. He barks at cows and encounters horses. He’s having a blast.” Hickory has his own bed inside the truck, where he can sleep comfortably at night. Hickory and Mario were destined to be together. We wish them countless joyful moments as partners.
