Last Wednesday we brought you an update on Big, the 11-year-old mixed retriever/terrier from Los Angeles, who was in need of a specialist after he lost all functions on his legs.
His owner, Charles Gilliam, a former homeless man, reached out to Cause4Paws because his dog needed help.
The organization planned to have Big seen by a specialist to determine what was wrong and what could be done to help the loyal pet. A donation fund was started and $606 were collected. Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save Big.
Photo Credit: Charles Gilliam/submitted via Jasmin Dustin – Cause4Paws.
“[Gilliam and Big] met with the specialist this morning (Jan. 16, 2014),” said Jasmin Dustin from Cause4Paws. “We raised money for Big to go see a vet to see if anything could be done before getting his measurements for his wheelchair. Unfortunately the vet said he was in major pain. Charles made the decision to not be selfish and let him run free to the rainbow bridge.”
The pet owner asked the rescue organization to help give his dog a proper burial because he didn’t want his best friend’s body to become waste. Cause4Paws used the raised funds to pay the specialist and cover the burial costs.
Photo Credit: Charles Gilliam/submitted via Jasmin Dustin – Cause4Paws
“We used the leftover funds raised to have [Big] cremated,” said Dustin. “We asked Charles to pick out something nice for the ashes to go on, so we can pay to have it engraved. We thank you all for traveling this journey with Big and Charles over the past year.”
We are so saddened to know that Big’s journey has ended but we are glad to know that in his last year of life Big received love, not only from his owner, but also from many strangers. When we first reported about Gilliam and Big, they were both homeless and Big was sick. Thanks to Cause4Paws and your support, the bonded pair found a room to live in South LA and Big received the medical help he needed.
Rest in peace Big.
