Adopted by the Man Who Saved Him, Dog Set on Fire Inspires Change in Animal Welfare Laws
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Dr. Doug James was in front of his Alabama home when he heard the screams of a puppy in distress. Moments later, he saw a horrific act that changed his life – and the life of the dog he saved.
James says he’ll never forget that fateful evening when he came upon a group of teen thugs beating a puppy. As he approached them, they set the dog on fire.
“I heard the noise down the street, I heard the little puppy yelping. They were slapping him around, a little three-month-old puppy. Slap, slap, slap. All of a sudden he just burst into flames and I went running down there yelling, I thought how could anybody be that cold blooded,” he said. “He was totally on fire. They had squirted his face with lighter fluid and his whole body was on fire. I said, ‘Did you burn that dog?’ Of course it was obvious that they did, the poor puppy was on fire.”
James and a neighbor extinguished the burning dog after his assailants fled. He rushed the suffering canine to a local vet for treatment.
“I was just thinking the cruelty involved there. This dog is not going to make it through the night, the cold blooded nature of the whole thing. I just couldn’t believe it, he did. The next day he was like my little Marine dog, he just kept on going,” James said.
While it was clear that the abused dog would never look the same again, he was otherwise unharmed, and recovered quickly. When he did, James took him home.
“I rescued him and then I kept him. I kept the dog, and I guest the rest is history,” James added. Gucci and his story of torture and survival inspired change as James started pushing for stronger animal cruelty laws in Alabama. Many were moved by his tale, and James fully believes that Gucci was born with a purpose.
“He was special, you know, because he had been through so much. He was a great human resource, he was a great greeter. I said many a time: if he was human he would be governor. He could just work a crowd. At one stop in north Alabama people waited an hour for him. When he arrived it was like a rock star was there, they cheered him,” James laughed. “It was just so much fun.”
Gucci and James spent the next 16 years together working tirelessly on behalf of animal abuse victims. When he passed away, James had him cremated. To this day, he still misses his companion.
“I had him cremated and he’s in a little cedar box in my hallway, and I give him his good morning and his good night kiss just the way I always did. He was just such a good dog, he was.”
Dr James you mattered so much to this little fur baby
Woof woof!
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The soul of a loved pet will live in your heart forever.
Woof woof!
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Who’s the animal?
God bless u, sir!!
Woof woof!
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I talk to my boy, Shadow, every time I walk by his urn. Rest in Peace my boy (May 16, 2012).
Woof woof!
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….and I also talk to my “Hankster” every day; he’s
watching over our little Chihuahua/mix, “Molly” and
trying to teach her some manners!! Over 4 years now
and he still is very much missed!
They know….my boy was rescued by a friend from under a porch and brought to us. While he doesn’t like men, he LOVES this guy….and I know he remembers me pulling the ticks off of him, because he will lay there so patiently while I do his nails ( even though he hates it)….and I know that dog would take a bullet for me….. Their memories are longer and stronger than we give credit.
Woof woof!
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Bless the dog, and the rescuer <3
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My god, the world need more people like you
Woof woof!
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what a kind and caring man he is
Woof woof!
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I so understand, Doug. All three of my dobies are rescues with past horrors of cigarette burns, broken legs, buckshot scattered throughout the lungs, and ingrown choke chains.Two of them are now in their cedar boxes–there is never such a pure form of love and devotion as from our rescue dogs.
Woof woof!
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How wonderful that Doug gave his heart and love to this wonderful dog. May be consoled by the fact Gucci loved him in return.
Woof woof!
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someone once said….A Dog is the only LIVING being that loves U more than he loves himself! :–}
Woof woof!
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Dr. James you were his angel, now he is your angel watching over you…god bless your soul…you will meet your furbaby one day….
Woof woof!
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Iam so happy to read and see there are people left in the world like you. There needs to be more who have that kind of heart.
Woof woof!
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Sorry, I can’t read the details. I just “liked” because apparently somebody did a good thing for an animal.
How can people be so cruel? It breaks my heart.
Woof woof!
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I plan to have my girl cremated so she can be with me as she always has been
God Bless this man abundantly…
Bless you, Mr. James. Love and hugs to Gucci.
<3
What a good soul you are x he would have had a great life with you x
So thankful there are people like you in this world.
Woof woof!
4 
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God will bless this wonderful man. Someone please set them teenagers on fire ….if not they will burn in hell for all eternity.
Woof woof!
4 
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Very good story to read… Thank you for sharing
Dr. Doug James is a HERO! Thank goodness he didn’t just stand by and watch what was happening without getting involved.
Woof woof!
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So sweet.
Horrible thing to do to little puppy.
Woof woof!
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Thank you Dr. James for saving Gucci and for fighting for animal rights.
Woof woof!
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Very good ending..
♥♥♥
God bless both of you and know that someday you will see each other again
Woof woof!
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Thank you Doug for everything you gave this lovely soul. He is at peace and will be waiting for you at the bridge.
Woof woof!
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Thank you Mr. Doug James, for loving this beautiful dog and to the thugs who set him on fire, I hope the same thing happens to you only 10 times worse. How could you do something like that to an innocent animal???? You are dispicable.
Woof woof!
4 
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Thank you for loving this dog
Woof woof!
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Thanks Dr. James for being so good to Gucci, what a beautiful story.
Woof woof!
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Thank yo Dr.James..for everything you have done..God bless you and your special friend.
Woof woof!
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Tears
Woof woof!
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who would do such a thing
Animal cruelty just isn’t taken seriously enough. It’s “cool” and “funny.”. Where are the animal hate crime laws?
Woof woof!
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I don’t understand what goes through the heads of these sick people – so glad Gucci found Dr Doug x
Woof woof!
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They are both angels, and they’ll meet again! What a touching story.
Woof woof!
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Awwww made me cry
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I just can not understand the awful,rotton,inhumane cruelty that human beings can do to the most precious loving beings on this earth.god bless you sweet angel,and who saved you.
Woof woof!
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Wonderful man who rescued this poor dog and who gave him a good life. RIP Gucci…..
Woof woof!
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R.I.P. sweet Angel…and You Doug are an Angel….
Woof woof!
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Brought sad and happy tears to my eyes, Poor baby, But then, the adoption and a happy life to the end, Thank You Dr. Doug James, I just pray for more people like you.
Woof woof!
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Rest In Peace Gucci. What a wonderful person Doug James is that saved you and loved you so very much.
Woof woof!
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A lady kicked a Husky in the head, her dog bit her leg cause she kicked the Husky, not the Husky who didnt do anything is on death row, and hundreds of people are pissed off, the witness says the owners dog bit her, not the Husky. Its very very cruel how they are treating a very very friendly Husky..
Woof woof!
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i know he loved greatly:)
Woof woof!
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God LOVE that dog someone needs to st them on fire what is with these ppl abusing dogs??? they ARE Gods creation !!!!!!!!!!
Woof woof!
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I would line the thugs up, set them on fire, slowly let them die and beat them with a sh***y stick.
Woof woof!
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All my babies are street dogs. My black chow was a fighter dog and we had to sow him up and he had ptsd for a while but is better, gentle and loyal to a fault. My collie was a skinny lil homeless wandering the streets and just wanted water. To think someone did that to her before i got her makes me boil!!
Woof woof!
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<3
his kindness and compassion is a an example that all should follow
Woof woof!
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God Bless you Doug James!!! and your sweet baby Gucci !!
Woof woof!
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What a horrible cruel person, that poor dog. Animal abuse laws need to be alot harsher than they are
Woof woof!
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Rest peacefully little guy.
Woof woof!
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awwww, God bless you for saving this sweet baby. I’m so sorry for your loss may he RIP. I will never understand how people can be so cruel to dogs and other animals. It’s sickening. Thank God you were able to save him and give him the forever home he so deserved and all of your love. Thank you!!!!
Woof woof!
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Such a good man. And the dog was still beautiful! I hope one day the animal cruelty laws will be heavier. Until then we just count on more people like this man
Woof woof!
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http://www.globaltvbc.com/outpouring+of+support+for+shadow+the+dog/6442683078/story.html
Shadow the dog did nothing wrong, it was all a lie
Woof woof!
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Awwww so sry that’s sad
((
Bless you Doug and Gucci!!!!
Woof woof!
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Those “teen thugs” should be set on fire.
Woof woof!
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how sweet- you gave him a good life after such a horrific thing!
Woof woof!
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More than like- LOVE
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So tragic but so wonderful that Gucci got to know love and have a happy life.
Woof woof!
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It makes me so sick!! Human beings are destroying this world! And it’s only humans, like Dr. James here, that can be the change. Now how can we convince everyone else?
Woof woof!
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Not that much different from me!
:’( <3 RIP sweet Gucci
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Bless them both. RIP Gucci <3
Woof woof!
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So thankful for people like James and amazing dogs like Gucci.
Woof woof!
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This is a beautiful story, a beautiful dog… it brought tears to my eyes, damn, I’m still crying
Woof woof!
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OMG…What a Story….Brings Tears and joy …
People who would set a dog on fire deserve the same treatment.
Woof woof!
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You’re a good man and gave your pooch a wonderful life. I can only hope I’m doing as well for my rescue.
Woof woof!
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This story has a terrible beginning but a lovely outcome, RIP Gucci..
Woof woof!
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Bless you for saving him… he is your guardian angel now… RIP swee pup
Woof woof!
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Just reading this brought tears to my eyes…
Woof woof!
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Those teenagers should be set on fire. Im nauseous. What is wrong with people?! And who are these people raised by?! Thank you Doug James for saving this innocent animal!
Woof woof!
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God bless you Dr. James. Gucci is still touching the hearts of many. It is good that he will be remembered for a long time!
Woof woof!
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<3
This one really got to me. I see stories of abuse daily, but something about Gucci’s will to live and how he influenced more animal welfare laws made him so special, as well as his owner. Tears, but in a good way.
Woof woof!
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They need to set those SOB on fire!! :*(
Woof woof!
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Sick fucks! I hate these people!
Tears for you baby. I’m so happy you got to know what love really is!!!! :’(
Woof woof!
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I hope the thugs burn in HELL!!!!!!
Woof woof!
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Do you need ANY MORE PROOF that beating the sh*t out of kids is worthwhile? Set the teens AND their parents on fire. I’ll watch.
Woof woof!
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well u havethe GOVERNMENT to BLAMe On that ONE!!!
I hope they do too…….
Wonder how soon after the teens did this that they beat up, killed, or raped a person? Direct link… These teens have zero remorse or good in them. There should be harsh punishment for anyone who harms an innocent being, human, child, animal, etc. thank you James for saving this beautiful puppy. RIP little one
Thanks for being a part of our world Gucci and am sorry to hear about your horrible start in life. Thank goodness Dr. James found you and taught you about the real world of love. While you wait for him, look up my puppy Bernie, he’s a springer spaniel/english pointer and great buddy to hang with!
Woof woof!
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Whoever did this deserves the same treatment -in his crotch!
Woof woof!
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HOW could there be SUCH evil people?
Woof woof!
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Precious. <3
<3
RIP brave sweetheart
Woof woof!
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Evil acts caused by evil teenagers come from evil households!!!! Parents are not doing their job in teaching their young to respect all life!!!!
Woof woof!
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<3
Doug i am sorry for ur loss. RIP Gucci <3
Woof woof!
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I was taught as a child that animals are a work of God just as humans are & that we should respect them & never hurt them. Clearly some ppl aren’t taught compassion & weren’t beat enough.
Woof woof!
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Sometimes I wonder why I read these things because they bring me to my knees. I simply cannot understand such cruelty and hatred. But I am equally moved by the kindness of people like Doug James. Thank God for such people and for those whose hearts are filled with such darkness, may you get what you deserve in this life and beyond!
Woof woof!
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