(Credit: pixabay)
While it is impossible for many of us to imagine our lives without our dogs, for others, these animals are more than just friends—they are lifesavers. This is particularly true for David Barlet, a 55-year-old Medina County, Ohio, veteran of the United States Army. Not only was it tragic when his assistance dog, Gunter, vanished, but there was also a grave risk to his health.
Nearing the end of his military service, Barlet—a 33-year veteran—was diagnosed with epilepsy. Like Gunter, many German shorthaired pointers are trained to be seizure warning dogs, meaning they can sense when a seizure is likely to happen. To avoid harm, they can lead their owner to a secure location. Barlet told the local TV station WJW, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this close to any other animal in my life,” demonstrating the extraordinary affinity that she shares with Gunter.
But over the Fourth of July weekend, that friendship was put to the test when Gunter ran off after becoming frightened by pyrotechnics. In his terror, Gunter knocked down Barlet’s wife, who was keeping him leashed, and vanished into the night. Over the course of the next two days, the Barlets distributed missing posters, looked for their beloved dog, and were inundated with support from the local community on social media.
After hearing a cry in a forested location two days later, an 11-year-old local boy and his parents found Gunter wrapped in a tree. It’s likely that the dog had been stuck without food or water for two days. Even yet, when Gunter was reunited with his owner, he was remarkably healthy.
It was touching to see Gunter run over to Barlet as soon as he got out of his car, marking their emotional reunion. Barlet and the neighborhood have conveyed their sincere appreciation to the young child who located Gunter. “That kid is special,” Barlet said with emotion. Even though he didn’t know us, he took action when he saw someone needed assistance.
