Mario Rodriguez didn’t hesitate when he saw Hickory’s photo online. The two-year-old pit bull was scheduled for euthanasia at a New York shelter, and despite being in California for work, Mario knew he had to act.
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A lifelong pit bull lover, Mario couldn’t bear the thought of Hickory being put down. So he made the grueling 2,800-mile drive, calling the shelter every day to ensure Hickory was still alive. “They probably got tired of me,” he joked. “But I wasn’t giving up.”
When they finally met, Hickory’s reaction said it all—boundless energy, slobbery kisses, and a tail that wouldn’t stop wagging. Back home, Hickory fit right in with Mario’s other dogs, but he wasn’t about to let his rescuer leave without him. Now, Hickory is Mario’s official co-pilot, joining him on cross-country hauls and turning every pit stop into an adventure.
From euthanasia list to life on the open road, Hickory’s story proves that sometimes, love knows no distance.
