January 13, 1947
The love of a boy for a dog should not go unnoticed. And for that reason John G. Work, Jr., 15-year-old son of Mr. And Mrs. John G. Work, Sr. of Van Buren Avenue, has been awarded a bronze medal for his fidelity to his injured dog, “Spud,” by the American Humane Association.
The medal will be presented as soon as the medal is prepared.
John spent a cold night last Nov. 16 on the foothills of Mount Franklin after “Spud” was injured and cut chasing a wild animal to such an extent he could not return under his own power. The youngster was unable to carry his dog down the mountain, so he built a fire and spent the night. They were found en route home by searching parties the next morning.
Credit for calling attention to the deed of bravery and fidelity goes to Mrs. Mildred Johnson, 2219 North Stanton Street. Mrs. Johnson, a recent arrival in El Paso from New York, where she was a solid backer of the American humane Association, mailed a clipping form The El Paso Times which told the story to association headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y.
The association wrote her in reply the matter had been referred to its committee on award for consideration.
After verifying facts of the story with Dr. Thomas A. Bray, president of El Paso Humane Society, and Mrs. Bray, secretary, the awards committee voted the medal to the lad.
The medal is now being struck and engraved, and upon completion will be sent to El Paso society, which will have charge of the presentation.
Sad aftermath of the story is the fact that Spud proved to be paralyzed after a few days. One of his injuries was a fractured or injured vertebra.
The eight-year-old Chesapeake retriever has recovered somewhat and now is able to roam the back yard of the Work home, but still does not have free use of his rear legs.
John Jr. romps with “Spud” much of the time, but when the youngster leaves, “Spud” sits at the gate with big tears wailing up in his eyes.
During El Paso’s recent cold wave “Spud” has found a soft, warm bed with his young master.
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