May 19, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- It is a touching story of a man, a dog he depends on, and a wreck that could have ended it all.
The dog disappeared Wednesday night, after Adolph Briggs wrecked his car.
He was traveling through Tennessee, on his way for cancer treatment, when Red, the dog, jumped out of the truck. "I panicked and slammed on my breaks. I hydroplaned and I went through down in the ditch and through a fence," he said.
It was a scary couple of seconds, that turned into hours of panic. "When I was able to get out of the vehicle he was gone, and I had no clue where he was at," Adolph explained.
The Marine Corps Veteran was coming from Ohio, and he said he "was headed down to the Atlanta VA to do my chemotherapy, suppose to be [Thursday] morning."
Adolph and his family used to live closer to the hospital until their home in Alabama was destroyed in a fire. His wife and three daughters moved to Ohio, and Adolph spends most of his time with family in Alabama, close to his regular treatments.
That's why losing Red, his service companion dog, would be so devastating.
Adolph said, "He can't do without me and I can't do without him. I don't feel as stressed as I used to be."
When they were reunited Thursday morning, Red stayed by Adolph's side, peaceful and happy, exactly the same way he is while Adolph gets his chemo. "He just gave me another burst of energy, a second wind so to speak," Adolph said.
Red was found about 100-feet from the accident site. He had a few cuts and seemed scared, but luckily Adolph has his companion and can take him home to his family.
Adolph said he will try to get a new appointment for chemotherapy, and wants to take Red to a veterinarian for a full check-up. His truck was totaled in the wreck.
