Andrea Rosebrock 
Most of the time when I write about a dog being dragged behind a vehicle it’s usually a vicious cruelty. Sometimes it is an accident but even then the culprits have to be hunted down because they don’t want to take responsibility. In this case, it really is a terrible accident and the dog’s family is going to any lengths to do what’s right for their beloved furry family member.
Jason Bond of Kennewick, WA, and his family were camping with a group of friends when the accident happened. Tank, Bond’s 9-year-old shepherd/chow mix was on a tie out over night while everyone slept. About 5:30 am, one of the friends packed up to go off hunting and didn’t realized Tank’s lead had somehow gotten hooked on the truck’s hitch and with Tank being black and it still being dark, he never noticed the dog.
It wasn’t until he got to his destination a mile or two away that he realized what happened. Tank was rushed to the Associated Veterinary Medical Center where Dr. Dallas Thompson didn’t hesitate.
“I didn’t have any money, and Dr. Thompson didn’t hesitate for a moment to treat Tank … He started working on him immediately and called in four or five other techs on a Sunday when it was closed,” Bond said.
The family discusses whether it was right to keep Tank alive knowing that he was in severe pain but the vet assured him and his family that Tank could recover and be fine.
Then the family had to figure out how to come up with what it was going to cost to pay for Tank’s care which would quickly climbed to $5,000 and was expected to hit $10,000 before he came home. They didn’t think twice about selling prized possessions including 2 horses, motorcycles and even a 1966 Bronco that he has spent 8 years fixing up for his 14-year-old daughter for when she got her license.
“She looked at me and was crying and said, ‘Dad, if you need to sell my Bronco, do whatever you need to save my dog. If you have to sell my horses, sell my horses,’ ” Bond said.
Tanks has been at the Medical Center for about two weeks and is expected to be there for at least another two weeks.
To Jason Bond and his family, Tank is much more than “just a dog.”
“A lot of people think we’re silly for putting this money into a 9-year-old dog, but people don’t understand he’s more than a pet,” Bond said.
Tank came into the Bond family when they learned of a litter of puppies that had been abandoned by their mother. The Bonds searched for homes for the puppies, but in the end could not find anyone to take the remaining dog. They adopted him when he was so young he had to be fed by bottle.
Bond described how at the family’s former home outside of Seattle, Tank would walk his daughter to the bus stop every morning and pick her up every afternoon. And despite the fact they had a large property with minimal fencing, Tank always stayed at their home.
“We’d go out to dinner or something and it was like Lassie. He’d be sitting on the driveway waiting,” Bond said. (Union-Bulletin)
I’ve done so many stories about when a dog is injured the owner will just dump it off because they can’t afford care and sometimes I can understand but how many of those people truly try to do whatever it takes to find the funds? Not too many of them.
Sometimes it’s important to see people out there who love their canine companions so much and recognize just how special and important they are that they will go to just about any lengths for them. I know that I would do the same as would so many of you.
It really does me heart good to know that Tank is recovering and soon will be home with the family that loves him and that Dr. Dallas Thompson and the Associated Veterinary Medical Center are working with Tank’s family and making this all possible. So many vets wouldn’t bother unless they had the cash upfront!
If this story has touch you and you want to help, donations can be sent to the Associated Veterinary Medical Center at 208 Wildwood St, Walla Walla, WA 99362 or you can call 509-525-2502.
I wish all dog owners had this dedication . This is how it should be
I love to hear of such a dedicated family. What a great story to read on our Thanksgiving weekend.
A great big THANK YOU to Dr Thompson. If I lived in that area I would chose him as my vet.
Great story with all the bad going on it is great to
read something nice for a change please keep up the
good work ….
The only thing that bothers me is the sell my horses, save my dog. To many, their horse is the same as our dog. I don’t like that they shed the horses without much – if any thought. I know this is a dog blog, but if you’re dogs are your be all to end all that you would sell your horses for – then it having the horses as chattel is cruel and as cruel to horses and we know people to be toward dogs.
Mare, I doubt that they did it with little thought and showing as much love as they have for Tank, don’t doubt that they will show great care in making sure the horses go to wonderful homes. I thought about that too. Although this is a dog blog, I have a great love for most all animals. I don’t only have dogs at home, there are cats and an African Gray parrot too and they are all my babies.
In this case, I am sure it is a case of the most need. It’s sad but they had to figure out their priorities and if they could rehome their horses and save the life of Tank… Who else would have saved a 9 year old dog when the cost was $10K?
D.
I know that was an extremely difficult decision, but, I do admire their strength in doing this to save Tank. Of course, as you all know, I too have a horse as well. Not sure I could do that…..she’s my baby as much as, Sage is (my dog), and Sugar (my cat). I think the vet office was superb! Excellent job! Good luck Tank and Bond family. I know you are looking to the day to play and love Tank again.
I admire the Bond family for the difficult decisions they have had to make, but it sounds like they are a most caring and devoted family towards their animals in their home.
I am glad that there are vets such as Dr. Thompson around. He should be the poster Vet for the rest of the world to see.
It does my heart good to know that the Bond family love Tank _that_ much. It relieves me that we have one 14 year old girl that isn’t selfish. I admire her for having the strength to give up one of her pets to save the life of another, and I admire her for not putting her car before her dog. It does my heart to see that the Bond family isn’t putting material items before their loving companion. There are so many bad owners in the world, we sometimes forget about the good. Thank you for reminding us Bond family!
Kudos to Dr. Thompson for helping a family in need, even if they didn’t have the funds to save their dog at this very moment. He is what all Vet’s should be like.
Good for the Bond family for their decision, a lot of other people would have given up given Tank’s age, severity of the injuries and cost.
And kudos to their daughter, for knowing that a life holds much more value than any material thing. They are teaching their children crucial values, which unfortunately seem to be lacking in many other young people.
Thanks for posting the address for donations. I’ll be sending mine in today. I hope the best for them and Tank.
I also have a furbaby, well a bear called TANK, he also had to be bottle fed and is my big 165# Rottie and I would do the same thing to save his life. My toy Poodle was sick a few years back and it was 4K to get him better, with 2 days in the hospital, the sad thing these days, because of people that do not pay their bills, it is pretty much a cash basis anymore. I just want to let the family know you are in my thoughts and Tank is in my prayers,a t he moment I am trying to resuce a doe and had to put funds there, and already earlier this month had to danote funds to another rescue, but as soon as I am able I will donate to help your family too. He will be back to himself soon, the painmeds will help but I know how agaonizing it is to see them in apin. I had to stay in the hotel across from the hospital with Peanut, the nurses spoiled him rpttina nd cryed when he left.
My prayerand thoughts are with you and your family and Tank,
XOXO Shelly
Cudos to them all. Get well Tank : )