Tom Hudson — an experienced sailor and explorer — set out on a canoeing trip down a river one day expecting to spend the day enjoying the peace of nature. While he was paddling, his thoughts were quickly interrupted by the sound of soft shouting from the nearby shore.
An Unexpected Discovery
Hudson wanted to know what the noise was, and worried it might be a trapped animal, so he paddled his canoe closer.
When he did, to his shock next to it in the mud under a large log was a weird furry white creature.
The Rescue Mission
Not hesitating, Hudson walked over to the upset creature that he figured at first glance was a Great Pyrenees trapped in mud. “He doesn’t look okay. I can’t see anyone. There are no tracks. Hudson said in a YouTube video, He’s all muddy… he looks like he’s crying.
Hudson took the log off pinning the dog and tried unsuccessfully to pull it out of mud- which was sucking the poor animal down. So, this was a tough task to do but also important for the life of the dog.
Hudson carefully placed the dog in his canoe, then paddled away from where he had freed it. As he walked further away, he saw a dock and a house next to it. Maybe that was where the dog lived.
Ivy’s Reunion
The homeowner heard Hudson’s story and rushed to the dock to identify his 14-year-old Great Pyrenees, Ivy, who had gone missing earlier in the day. Despite their family searching extensively for her, Ivy had been missing for two days.
With no escape left to her, Ivy resigned and began waiting for her rescue – or not – clinging to life at a few hundred yards in flight distance from the nearest perch she could possibly use. Hudson, who stayed to help wash Ivy off after the muddy meeting, described the reunion as heartwarming.
A Grateful Family
In appreciation of his heroic efforts in saving Ivy, the family asked Hudson to come over for a sleepover. “They were delighted to have their dog returned. It’s a 14-year-old Pyrenees. It has been passed down since the family have lived there. In the condition it was in I don’t think it would have lasted a day longer so really pleased to find this Tom ended the video.
His wife Ivy was placing her traumatic experience behind her and settling in to enjoy the rest of her golden years with a loving family. That was the day Hudson helped Ivy, and became best friends with her family.
Reflecting on Kindness
The message of this story is that even a normal day can become an unusual large hearted and heroic adventure. Thanks to some quick thinking and determination by Tom Hudson, Ivy was able to continue living a happy life with her family — a reminder of the power kindness has in moments we least expect it.
Hudson demonstrates an innate compassion for animals in peril, and his deeds prove that one person’s kindness can save another’s life. Those calls of distress that he chose to investigate were ultimately what ensured the safety of Ivy and delight for her concerned owners.
Conclusion
In a world with unpredictable obstacles occurring at a moment’s notice, tales like this one serve as reminders that we are all accountable to one another—both humans and animals. Tom Hudson’s adventure is more than just an action packed thriller, it is a reminder of how we can all play a positive role by being aware and being there to help when needed.
The following morning, Hudson continued on his way after resting with Ivy’s thankful family for the night, not only for memories of an adventure but also that he had made a difference in peoples lives. I’m sure this experience has greatly enhanced his journey as well, as it did for those that he helped along the way.
