Pete the English Setter was adopted by a couple named Stephen Parisi and Cathi Henn when he was 12 years old and he was about to turn 14.
The couple run a dog walking and sitting business in Greenwood Lake, New York.
Recently, they took a hike along with Pete and their doggy clients when they encountered a black bear.
“The dogs surprised a black bear just off the trail while we were hiking this morning. It must not have heard or smelled us with the pouring rain,” Cathi wrote while sharing the whole story on Instagram.
“It felt threatened and turned around. Pete stepped up and held off the bear until I could get the other dogs to safety. Once I was sure they were safe, I went back and scared the bear off, but Pete was gravely injured.
“I was able to get him back down to the main trail and, thanks to Cathi and Kate, we were able to get him in a car and to the hospital pretty quickly.
“He held on like a real trooper the whole time, and he was never alone in his pain. The x-rays revealed some pretty bad spinal damage that would mean he could never walk again, if he survived all the surgeries (not a certain thing at his age).
“We decided it was best to let him go this afternoon. Run free Pete, you no longer have all those aches and pains of old age. You had a great 18 months with us running the days away like you loved.”
Thanks to Pete, everyone else was fine, but the family was heartbroken after losing the brave pup.
“Please light a candle for Pete and remember that fostering and rescuing a dog can sometimes save you. Senior dogs have so much to give.
“Love you Pete. Save me some cheese for when we see each other again.”
More info: Instagram
Pete the English Setter
The doggy clients of Stephen Parisi and Cathi Henn
The dogs were on a hike.
The couple run a dog walking and sitting business in Greenwood Lake, New York.
Recently, they took a hike along with Pete and their doggy clients when they encountered a black bear.
Pete stepped up and held off the bear until the owner could get the other dogs to safety.
The x-rays revealed some pretty bad spinal damage that would mean he could never walk again, if he survived all the surgeries
Thanks to Pete, everyone else was fine, but the family was heartbroken after losing the brave pup.
