The Chronicles of Riddick: A cross-country Relief story
June 10th, 2016
For Rachael, Marty, and their beloved pit bull Riddick, what started as a cross-country trip turned into an amazing journey of survival and reconnection — thanks to your support and the kindness of some empathetic strangers.
Rachael and her fiance Marty were driving with Riddick from Kentucky to Oregon to visit Rachael’s mom, Tracy, when the unthinkable happened: Their car was rear-ended, and Rachael and Marty were ejected from the car. Riddick was thrown from the back seat and crushed against the front seats. Rachael and Marty were life-flighted to a hospital in Colorado, and they had to leave Riddick behind.
A local animal rescue person in Kansas picked up Riddick and took him to a veterinarian. His hip was dislocated, and he needed surgery to remove the head of his femur. Rachael and Marty were dealing with serious injuries of their own. Marty had to return home to Kentucky to recover from his injuries, and Rachael was now alone in a county in Colorado that banned pit bulls. She called her mother, Tracy, in a panic, pleading with her to find Riddick.
“This dog is my daughter and her fiancé’s baby,” Tracy later told RedRover. “She has had him since he was seven weeks old.”
After locating Riddick, Rachael and Tracy still had a formidable roadblock: they didn’t have the money to pay for the medical care he needed. Fortunately, Tracy found the RedRover Relief program and submitted an application.
Their story took even more twists and turns, as Rachael and Riddick received unexpected support — a caring veterinarian reduced the fee for Riddick’s surgery so that a RedRover Relief grant could cover the full cost of the care he needed, and an anonymous donor in Kansas paid for Riddick’s boarding while he recovered. But more obstacles lay ahead. Rachael had to get Riddick to Oregon without a car and with limited funds.
After trying unsuccessfully to travel by train, Rachael and Riddick were stranded in Grand Junction, Colorado, where a kind shop-owner provided them a place to stay. Tracy found RUFF Sanctuary, hoping Riddick could stay there until Rachael found a way to get him to Oregon. RUFF listened to Riddick’s story and decided it needed a happier ending. They offered to drive both Rachael and Riddick to Oregon, and RedRover was able to help with the travel costs.
Finally, after 45 days and 2,500 miles, Rachael and Riddick made it home to Tracy!
The day they arrived, Tracy contacted RedRover with an overjoyed, “Yippeee!!!” As for Riddick, Tracy soon reported, “His leg has healed great and he can run full speed now! He bounces when it’s time to eat. He is an amazing, sweet, gentle boy, and now is safe thanks to RedRover! Thank you so much, more than words can say!”
Riddick and his family went through huge trials and tribulations, but thanks to the kindness of individuals who stepped up to help — and the support of RedRover members like you — Rachael and Riddick were finally able to make their way home, together. Thank you to our wonderful donors for working with us to help bring Riddick from crisis and to care.
