Today’s post is a bit of a departure from the usual fare. It’s the story of a man and a dog whose life together took a drastic, unexpected turn, the indomitable spirit that saw them through the toughest of times, and the decision they made together to choose lightness over dark … literally.
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For six years, Trevor Jensen woke at 4:45 AM to walk his Weimeraner Naraku. In his mid 20’s, six foot-plus athlete Trevor was in excellent health, playing a lot of basketball, enjoying the company of his first dog and living life to the to the fullest. That morning walk was a shared ritual he and faithful Naraku savored each day.
At 4:45 on the morning of September 4, 2009, a car barreling towards them both changed everything.
It never occurred to Trevor that a hit and run in the pre-dawn dark could happen to him. But it did. “I thought I was doing it all right” he recalls. “My dog was a perfect angel. I was in control of the situation.”
“As the car came barreling through the intersection I
shoved Naraku out of the way with one leg, planting the other in a forceful push to get her clear of danger.” The leg that saved his dog’s life took the full impact of a car that never stopped. “I remember the horrifed faces of drivers as they passed by and drove off, leaving me for dead in the road.”
The accident that threw him like a rag doll left a once vigorous young man with a score of injuries, including a torn ACL and MCL (his knee remains very unstable). A concussion, neck
injury, and internal bleeding. His beloved Naraku survived without a
scratch. For months Trevor grappled with shock waves that extended like
invisible ripples from the moment of impact. He had lived, but the cards
in his hand had irreversibly changed.
The body often heals quicker than the mind. His fight for a fresh start stretched on through dark days, weeks and months. Jensen’s journey back to wellness is the story of a road less traveled. As he moved slowly from what now? to what next?, he found determination to do more than merely survive. He would thrive. “I just think life made it as difficult as possible so I would be super
passionate in my fight to make sure no one else goes through what I went
though. It was a blessing, really.”
Thousands
of pedestrians are killed every year in the U.S. Knowing the risk to he
and Naraku would have been far less had she been wearing lighted gear, Trevor funneled fresh passion and purpose into development of a new kind of pet safety product. A distinctively stylish, durable, easy to clean, lighted collar and leash. With Naraku beside him, his budding entrepreneurial spirit drove Trevor on through the rigors of bringing an original product successfully to market.
From a burden to a blessing to a business, Pup Protector was born!
Naturally, Naraku has taken her share of the credit for creation of the Pup Protector. (Very clever video).
In celebration of Trevor and Naraku’s success story and the importance of pet safety awareness, The Daily Corgi is pleased to announce its first ever Pet Safety Pinterest Contest! Cool prizes up for grabs include a Pup Protector leash and collar set, customized Daily Corgi totebags and sweatshirts, and a special Zippy Paws super-squeaky Corgi-shaped toy for one deserving dog.
Please do NOT use the form below to vote; it is for informational purposes only. Only votes cast via this form prior to May 26th will be counted.
Congratulations Trevor and Naraku. You’re an inspiring duo. Corgi On!
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A big thanks to Daily Corgi fans Sidney, Brodie and Darby for graciously modeling their Pup Protector gear (and their collective handsomeness). Guys, I promise: the treats are in the mail.
Brodie
Darby
Darby
Sidney
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing it
Also great if you let the dogs out in a big fenced yard, and they decide to hunt instead of come in when called
What a great story, with a good and productive out come. Thank you for sharing it!