Omid’s story starts when the driver of a passing vehicle in a remote part of Jaajrood, Iran, thought he saw something moving about a hundred meters away on the side of the road. He was curious and worried, so he put his car in reverse to see what kind of creature it was.When he got out of his car to look around, he faced a paralyzed dog who was crawling around using his front legs. He felt sorry for him, so he placed some food and water next to the dog and continued his journey. What else could he do?
That night, thoughts of the dog did not leave him. Without food or water in that remote place, how could he survive? What if another animal attacks him? How can he defend himself? What if it rains? What if…? What if…?
He was not able to sleep until dawn. With the first rays of the sun, he returned to that spot. This time he put the dog in his car and drove him to the city of Tehran.
The man named the dog Omid, a word meaning “hope” in Persian, because he saw so much hope in the dog’s eyes. He took Omid to the vet, thinking that there might be a way to regain his health. Unfortunately, his spine had been severed when he was previously hit by a car, and Omid had lost the use of his hind legs forever.
Omid right after being rescued in Iran, and with his new family in the United States. Image via Vafa Animal Shelter.
Omid was then taken to Vafa Animal Shelter, and soon he was sent to the United States. He stayed in a foster home until Banafsheh and Babak Alipour adopted him and gave him his forever home.
Banafsheh and Babak have done so much for Omid. Not only did they take care of him the best way possible, but they also made him a star! Omid is now a famous dog, and his face graced the cover of Nova Dog magazine. He went on stage with Andy, a famous Iranian singer/songwriter. His photo, biography and video are published in The Dodo. His story has been shared on TV, in print, internet publications, and social media. His family has done many interviews about him. Omid even has his own Facebook page and YouTube channel!
Many good people participated in this rescue case. Behind Omid’s story are many anonymous heroes who refused to remain indifferent when they saw an animal’s pain and suffering, and stepped up courageously to help. Would you be one of those people too?
Omid with his foster mom in the United States. Image via Vafa Animal Shelter.
Featured image: Omid in front of the United States Capitol Building. Image credit Babak Alipour.
