ETHAN

Ethan was dumped in the parking lot at the Kentucky Humane Society on a cold January 29th day, 2021, and left to die. Thankfully, a family dropping off donations spotted him lying on a faeces, urine covered dog bed lying on the pavement. They notified staff inside, who rushed out to scoop him up and carry him inside to the vet area. They initially thought he was dead. He could not walk, could not lift his head and was so dehydrated that they needed the smallest kitten needle just to get into his veins. He was also covered in filth and weighed a mere 38lbs when he should have been close to 90lbs. They gave him a less than 10% chance to live. That afternoon he was given the name Ethan, which means "strong" and "firm" in Hebrew. He was eventually stabilized and went home that night on an IV with a vet tech. Ethan began to seize in the middle of the night and she rushed him to the hospital, pausing at each stop sign and stop light to reach back in the seat to see if he was still breathing.

Jeff first saw Ethan a few minutes after he was found when he popped his head into the vet room after hearing, through the shelter, that the new arrival was somewhat still alive. Jeff can’t explain it but the moment he saw him, he knew Ethan was his dog for however long he had left. It was obvious that he had not known any kindness in his life and Jeff wanted to make sure that before he passed away, he knew someone loved him.

He stayed at the hospital for 5 days, all very much touch and go, his fate still very much in doubt, before he came back to the Kentucky Humane Society, still unable to walk. The first night back, he finally had the strength to stand on his own feet and take his first couple steps. Jeff saw him the next day and Ethan gave him several big kisses, the first sign of affection he had shown anyone at that point. Jeff asked what he could do for Ethan and was fortunate to be given the opportunity to come in for a couple hours each night to feed him, clean him up, change his bandages, give him medication and take him for a walk. They formed a tight bond and each night Ethan would lower his head to Jeff’s chest, he was thanking him for giving him a chance.

Jeff’s family adopted Ethan on March 10, 2021.

Letters, cards and emails began to arrive from people around the world explaining how Ethan’s incredible will to live had inspired them to face different difficulties and heart-breaking challenges in their lives. He had given many of these people, all of whom had never met Ethan, a new courage and hope to fight their demons in.

Ethan was quickly recognized in his local community by our city council and named Ambassador of Compassion by the Louisville mayor for the Kentucky Derby Festival.

A couple months after he was adopted, he began having seizures. After an MRI of his brain, he was found to have lesions, specifically caused from the dehydration and starvation he had suffered. He was also found to have additional brain damage caused by blunt force trauma; he had been beaten around the head. The neurologist was not optimistic, saying that the type of seizures he was having, occurring in such a big dog (he was determined through DNA to be a Presa Canario, a Spanish Mastiff) typically don't get any better. After a week of medication didn't help, the dosage was adjusted and thankfully, he has not had any seizures in the last 2 years.

That first summer, his online family continued to grow and Ethan was named Chief Tasting Officer for Busch Dog Brew. He was asked to throw out the first pitch at a local baseball game and his story eventually appeared 8 times in People.com.

His story began to take on a whole new meaning. His kindness and love to everyone he met started a kindness movement that continues to this day with everything and every place he goes. His story started bringing awareness to shelter animals and mistreated animals everywhere. So his family began advocating for better animal welfare laws in the state of Kentucky, where Ethan was found.

There was a Senate Resolution recognizing his amazing will to live and determination.

Ethan began visiting senior and mental care centres and assisted living facilities becoming therapy for so many people. He has brought awareness to so many animals in need, specifically raising medical funds for animals around the country.

He was named American Humane National Shelter Dog of the Year and invited along with other hero dogs from around the country to Florida, where Ethan, on national television was named American Humane National Hero Dog of the Year. Back in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear named January, EthanAlmighty Shelter Animal Awareness Month. They have continued to advocate on a state wide platform for better legislation and support so many causes throughout the community. Ethan was given a Governors Volunteer Service Award, a WLKY Bell Award and named Kentucky Colonel.

Ethan was the subject of a nationally released documentary, detailing his first year of life. He has been in numerous parades and walked the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby. His miraculous journey has no doubt saved countless lives throughout the country.

They local community has recently honoured him with a huge 60'x20' banner hanging on the side of a very popular downtown Louisville hotel. He exemplifies the idea of giving back the love and support that was shown to him the first couple months after he was found.

His story has become synonymous with the way each one of his social media posts end:
Please do something kind for someone today.