They say that a dog is “man’s best friend,” but we’re not sure this maxim has ever rung truer than for Owen Hawkins and his dog, Haatchi. Owen is a remarkable 9-year-old boy living in England, encumbered by a rare genetic disorder (Schwartz-Jampel syndrome) that causes his muscles to painfully contract. Bound to a wheelchair, Owen’s disability became the source of a great deal of insecurity; he felt deeply alone and withdrawn.
Enter Haatchi, a dog who was hit by a train after being inhumanely tied to the tracks and left to die. Despite having his tail and hind leg amputated, he beat the odds, survived, and therefore needed a home. Owen’s parents, on a mission to find a companion for their suffering son, saw something special in this miracle pup.
Little did they know that Owen and Haatchi would develop an instantaneous bond as two kindred souls who intuitively understood each other’s pain. Owen gave Haatchi the unconditional love every dog deserves, and Haatchi gave Owen something even more irreplaceable: his confidence. No longer shy and insecure, Owen grew excited to walk down the street, now accompanied by his furry new best friend. The pair began entering (and winning!) dog shows, giving Owen a tremendous sense of pride and excitement. Perhaps none of their moments, however, meant more than receiving the Crufts "Friends For Life Award."
Here at SF Globe, this tale of friendship and acceptance brings tears to our eyes. Crufts may have deemed Owen and Haatchi "Friends for Life,"but we tend to believe they'll be best pals for even longer than that. What did you think of their heartwarming story? Has your pet helped you heal in any way? Sound off in the comments below and make sure to share if you found this story as truly moving as we did.
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