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1 Month After Adopting Feral Dog, He Finds Pup Guarding Sick Hummingbird Covered in Ants

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Animal people are really easy to spot. Sometimes they are running across a park to pet all the dogs, or maybe even hosting their wedding at an animal shelter.

No matter what, people with a heart for animals really go the distance for their feathered and furry friends.

Take this man in Whittier, California, for example. He adopted a feral dog who most people wouldn’t dream of taking into their homes.

“He was dangerous,” Ed Gernon told CBS Los Angeles in 2016. “He was an animal that had learned to live on the streets and to survive on his own hunting ability.”

Nonetheless, Gernon adopted the German Shepherd mix in 2015 and gave him a loving home. He named his new dog Rex.

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About a month after Gernon rescued Rex, it was Rex’s turn to rescue a creature and welcome it into the family.

The two were out for a walk around their neighborhood when Rex all of a sudden came to a stop. The dog stood protectively over a tiny hummingbird who appeared to be no longer living.

“I mean it’s tiny and it’s dead as far as I’m concerned,” Gernon told CBS. “It’s covered in ants. It’s got no feathers.”

So, with some persuasion from his pooch, Gernon took the hummingbird home.



Gernon nursed the hummingbird — who he named Hummer — back to health by feeding her a special formula ever 15 minutes. He even taught her how to fly using a hair dryer!

“It was this little creature. This fragile creature that the whole world wanted to kill and he was trying to protect her so I thought I’d go the distance,” he said.

Hummer and Rex seem to be pals as well and Rex shares his water bowl with his friend so Hummer can take a bath.



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Although there have not been any recent updates on this tale, we hope Hummer is living his best life today.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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