Many of us find it difficult to picture our lives without our dogs. However, for other people, their beloved pets may really save their lives. Nobody is more knowledgeable about this than veteran David Barlet, 55, of Medina County, Ohio. He was not only devastated when his service dog Gunter died; he was also in danger.
After serving in the American Army for 33 years, Barlet had epilepsy at the end of his service. He discovered then that German shorthaired pointers, like Gunter, may be trained to serve as seizure alert dogs, according to Cleveland’s WJW. These canines can warn their owners before a seizure begins and direct them to a secure area like a bed or sofa so they don’t pass out.
He has a unique relationship with Gunter. Barlet told the TV station, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been closer with another animal in my life.
But once Gunter went missing during the recent Fourth of July holiday, that relationship was put in jeopardy. On July 3, Barlet’s wife was outside with Gunter on a leash while the neighborhood enjoyed fireworks. Gunter overcame her as he raced out into the night after being startled by the sounds.
The Barlets spent the ensuing days looking for their dog and hanging signs advertising his disappearance. By posting the posters on social media, strangers assisted.
When it was just the two of us in the evening, Barlet recalled WJW, “the house was so full of emotion, between him being missing and the support we saw from the community. We tried to hold it together around people, but it was hard.”
A local 11-year-old child heard crying in a nearby forested area two days after Gunter fled. The family located the lost dog after asking his parents for assistance. Gunter’s leash got entangled in a tiny tree, indicating that he was probably without food or drink for those two days.
Barlet and Gunter getting together again was like a scene from a movie. The devoted pet ran directly in the direction of his owner as soon as he got out of his automobile. Fortunately, Gunter was in good health despite the circumstances, according to Barlet.
The veteran’s family and the neighborhood have both expressed their sincere appreciation to the little child for helping them find their missing canine. Both the Medina, Ohio, police chief and pet owners on social media have praised the youngster for his kind deed.
According to Barlet, who spoke to WJW, “Someone that he didn’t even know was hurting and was in need, so he did that.” I confess that I barely ever see the child without feeling teary-eyed; he is very, very dear to us.
