Sully is amazing, plain and simple - the story of Sully The ride of his life... This is an absolutely beautiful story written by Kathleen, who so graciously and lovingly transported Sullivan Rutherford to safety this week. You'll probably shed a tear, smile, and feel your heart swell all at once. Thank you so much, Kathleen. This goes to show that a life can change in an instant, and that inspiration often comes when you least expect it. 'I picked up a hitchhiker today. My friend Lindsay asked me to because he was old and sick and needed some help. His body language told me that he was in pain and desperate to get a ride anywhere far away from where he had been and what he had experienced. He had nothing in the way of possessions except a piece of green plastic cord. He got in to the car and I could now see he was filthy and smelled like neglect but after a few miles I got used to his stench. Once he was safe in the car with me he began to appear less desperate and less beaten down. I learned his name, Sullivan Rutherford, and as his personality started to emerge I sensed that the name fit. He had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. There was a story about how he almost died today that was pretty horrifying. He seemed a little shy but from time to time he would raise his head and look my way and I could see a grateful glint in his huge brown eyes and sensed an almost smile. As we drove along the freeways that stretch from Orange County to San Diego we bonded to music on the radio. We listened to the Eagles and Queen and although he didn't sing along I could tell he was comforted by the music. When I sang Elton's 'Tiny Dancer' to him, badly and at the top of my lungs, he put his head on my shoulder, let out a huge sigh of relief and drifted off to sleep. It was okay with me that his stinky head was on my shoulder. If it gave the old guy some comfort then why not? We were now in no hurry so I got off the freeway and we stopped for some food and a walk on the beach. As we walked along the shore I wondered if this was his first time at the ocean because the roar of the surf and the rush of the tide seemed confusing to him. All the while I asked myself why Sullivan was alone...Was he homeless? Where was his family? He was super friendly with all the people on the beach and didn't appear to be antisocial. He seemed to be a lovable being with plenty of kindness to give but if that is true why did all the signs point to Sullivan being homeless and unwanted? We got back in the car and continued on to San Diego where he had a friend who was willing to help him get a place to stay, a bath, food and a medical checkup. He fell asleep again but continued his peculiar but somehow sweet habit of needing to have a part of him, his toe, touching me at all times almost to assure himself that he was not alone. As he slept I began to cry. Sullivan's pain was so palpable I could feel it and it was just so sad and I don't know why but I felt that my tears helped to honor his tiresome journey. When he woke up he noticed I was crying and I told him in the most cheery voice I could muster that I wasn't crying because I pitied him but because I was happy he was going to be with his friend who could help him and cared about him. As he left me in San Diego and we said our goodbyes I wished him well. Within seconds he was in his friend Carla's car and once again settling in to sleep. Driving away I couldn't help but feel hopeful for the old guy. Whatever he was going to had to be better than where he had been. Travel Well Sullivan!' _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 'I'm Sully's foster mom. For those of you who are following Sully's journey, I feel so privileged to help Sully become the dog he deserves to be. Yes, he has nasty, smelly skin, but I think that is his only flaw. We start with soothing baths tomorrow which should help his itching along with benadril. Sully has had a hard life, but that's not what I see. He has such a light in his eyes and pep in his step. He howls at me when I bring the groceries in - hoping for a nice piece of turkey (or two). He follows the little ladies of the house around with a comical curiosity. He lays his big beautiful head on my lap when I'm sitting at the computer, and all I can do is scratch behind his ears and look into his eyes and say 'It's going to be all right and life is going to be so much better from here on in.' This is such a special man and I can't wait to see what the future brings for him and I as we walk together one day at a time.' Beth
