Two compassionate young boys from Cape Town, South Africa walked for miles in bare feet to save the life of their neighbor’s beloved dog, giving up the money they had saved to buy new shoes in order to get medical treatment for the seriously ill canine.
Peter Cedras, aged 14, and his little brother Gerry, aged 8, live with their family in a tiny, basic farmhouse in a village called Phillipi. There is no electricity or running water, and the few belongings the family had were lost when a fallen candle caused a fire in their tiny home a few weeks ago.
The boys consider their one-year-old dog “Meisie” to be part of the family, so when she stopped eating, they knew that she was very ill and quickly decided to take action to help her.
The pair headed to the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS), many miles away across rough terrain, carrying the ill dog the entire way. Younger brother Gerry made the journey barefoot, having lost his only pair of shoes in the house fire. Big brother Peter had saved 7 rand to buy Gerry new shoes, but they both decided that it was more important to spend the money on saving Meisie’s life.
It turns out Meisie is very lucky that the boys took action so quickly – she was diagnosed with tick bite fever, an ailment that can cause death if not treated in time.
The veterinarians at AWS gave the critically ill dog a blood transfusion, put her on a drip and gave her life-saving medication. Several days later, AWS posted on their Facebook page that Maisie was recovering well.
Image Credit: Animal Welfare Society of South Africa
The team at AWS were stunned by the boys’ dedication to their beloved dog. So much so that they returned the money to the family and gifted a pair of shoes to Gerry from their Charity Shop.
“We hope that their devotion, compassion and initiative inspires other pet owners to take good care of their pets, to be alert to when their pets appear unwell and very importantly to treat their pets for ticks and fleas and to never hesitate to seek professional veterinary advise and care,” said AWS in a Facebook post.
Once this story was made public, donations of clothing and food poured in for the destitute family, which were delivered by AWS a few days later.
What lovely, beautiful and inspirational compassionate boys!
Heros! These boys showed such beautiful Compassion! Not like the evil white hunters from America who come to Africa to kill and destroy animals!
You 2 young heroes are true leaders in showing the way for the adults who torture and murder innocent, kind and loving animals. I salute you and I thank you for putting light into our world.
Do this two boys have a family, please advised.
In our world of torture and abuse toward kind, loving animals, how amazing of these 2 young men. These 2 boys are light years ahead of most adults who are so cruel. I love you 2 guys and I salute you. Young Heroes. You made my day. Carry on!!!!
These two boys are TRUE HEROS!! I thank you both so very much for helping this sweet dog!!
God Bless you!
I pray that these two young boys are blessed by God beyond their wildest dreams for being so selfless as to be concerned over that beautiful dog. I am so happy to hear about the food and clothing donations they received from loving and compassionate readers. Many thanks to the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa for the exceptional work done to ensure this dog will have a wonderful life. This is such a heartwarming story that I’m overcome with joy and tears.
This is the kind of story that restores the little sliver of hope I have that mankind has not completely lost their humanity!
What wonderful boys, what a wonderful family — you did GOOD — VERY GOOD — may you have all good things, good health, happiness, blessings come your way for many decades to come — keep loving and caring for Maisie — they deserve love and care — keep in mind, we love you.
This is such a heartfelt story.
I absolutely loved this story! Awesome job I hope the two boys become future animal advocates for animals. We need someone like them. Thank you!
These boys are wonderful. A credit to the human race, many of whom take pleasure in abusing & torturing helpless animals. I wish the boys all the money, love & luck in the world.
Beautiful! These boys are the best of the best. This is especially heartwarming after all the horrible people I read about that would rather torture and abuse animals. Hopefully these boys’ story will soften the hearts of many. I need a tissue now. 🙂
Those are truly 2 awesome little boys! I hope their parents are proud of them.
No shoes helps with grounding with helps health. Shoes block the grounding. I am glad the dog was helped.
love!!!!! love!!!! love!!!!!!!!!!! love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So often you hear of people exploiting animals with the excuse that they have nothing themselves. This is such a lovely and rare exception. What a lovely, caring pair of boys. Walking all that way with no shoes. Bless you both.
What wonderful boys and a real credit to the human race. If only other kids took a page out of their book the world would be a much nice place.
Thank you also to the vet and it shows how much you care for these babies. Putting babies lives before profits shows that you are a true vet and are in it to save lives unlike the others who are in it for the money and insane profits they make.
All the very best to you all and may all your hopes and dreams come true!
Wow. What a story of two kind hearted boys who had few possessions but opted to save their dog’s life instead of buying much needed shoes.. They are rich in spirit which is much more important than material possessions. God blesses this family for their love. They are true heroes.
These boys are true heros. With kind and compassionate hearts. Well done.
True Hero’s, angels of Missi, lucky Missi
what? too little to have such a big kind heart. Peter and Gerry thanks a lot for saving Meisie life. We need more such children
God bless these two boys!
Wow, these brothers are Heros.
This is Wonderful!!
Good deeds do come back to you.
Every day we read about the horrific cruelty toxic humans inflict on animals and then along comes a story like this. Two boys who had nothing, but gave everything they had to save a neighbour’s dog that they loved! God bless those children, the tremendously kind actions to save this sick dog will buoy me up for a long time to come! And well done also to the vet clinic who didn’t charge the boys for the dogs treatment.
Excellent children and a happy outcome.
Bless these wonderful, compassionate boys. They cared so much about their precious dog than themselves. So happy the doggie is well. May God bless them.
God bless these young men and the staff that saved this dogs life and thanks to all who donated clothing and food to the family. An “all around” wonderful story!
Peter and Gerry, you are heroes. Thank you for saving a man’s best friend. Bless you.
THESE ARE THE KIND OF CHILDREN WE NEED NOW AND IN THE FUTURE!
YOU BOYS ROCK! I HOPE YOU GOT SOME SHOES DONATED TO YOU!
I AM SOOOO HAPPY THEY GOT SOME SHOES AND THE $ WAS GIVEN BACK TO THEM!
What a lovely story. these young people restore your faith in humanity. It is wonderful to see that they are being helped by people who have read about their kindness and devotion to their pet dog. Bless them!
I am touched by the sensitivity and love from these boys to their dog friend and for the response from the veterinary clinic staff. May God bless all of you continuously including the doggy. 🙂
Heartfelt thanks to Peter and Gerry and to AWS for saving a beautiful, innocent dog who needed help. Heroes for sure.
BRILLIANT!! May you PETER AND GERRY CEDROS, your family, AWS and MEISIE be SUPREMELY BLESSED,,,,ALWAYS!! You are all a CREDIT to Life on our beautiful Planet, EARTH!!
These precious boys are heroes!
Eine Geschichte die zu Tränen rührt. Es ist wunderschön zu lesen, dass es auch Kinder gibt, die für Tiere Gefühle haben. Viele Kinder können sich ein Beispiel an dieser Geschichte nehmen.
What lovely boys a credit too there family sending hugs to them all
God will richly bless these children. To love their dog so very much! I have say THANK YOU to Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) for all they did for Meisie and her young masters. Not many would do what they did.
This story warms my heart. These boys are true heroes. Any help these boys need, I’ll send it their way. If anyone knows of the Gofundme page or where we can help these boys and their dog Meisie, please post it on here. Having compassion for animals, is one of the most important things you can have and I believe these boys are destined to do great things in the future!