I was driving north on Highway 75 and noticed a state trooper parked in a turnout. I checked my speed and kept going. A few minutes later, I saw a dog lying in the ditch near the Exit 20 sign. She looked weak and in bad shape.
I was in the left lane on my way to an appointment, and I hesitated. I didn’t know whether to keep going or turn back. Finally, I decided to head south and pull into the turnout, even if it meant risking a ticket. Helping the dog felt more important.
When I pulled in, the trooper was still there. He rolled down his window and said he was on duty. I told him about the dog and mentioned I did not mind getting a ticket if it meant helping her. He simply asked where she was and drove off immediately.
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I followed him to the spot. The dog was still there, panting heavily and barely moving. The trooper emptied his water jug and turned it into a bowl, then poured in bottled water. The dog seemed frightened, but too weak to move away. After sniffing the water, she began drinking quickly and finished it within minutes.
He brought her more water and even offered a snack. She watched him carefully and stayed cautious, but she was slowly responding. Then he went back to his vehicle and returned with a chair and an umbrella. He told me he would stay there until the dog trusted him so he could take her to a shelter or bring her home if necessary.
Seeing him there at the right moment felt like a reminder that kindness still exists in this world.
Meet Trooper Tudors of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. One of the good ones.
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