A dog named Big Yellow has never been trained as a service dog, but every day she helps her wheelchair-bound human get to his shoe repair shop a mile away from his home.
Mr. Ma lives in China and was struck by polio when he was 6 years old. He never could afford a proper wheelchair and did not receive government aid, but he always managed to get around in makeshift wheelchairs he built. Childless and a widower, Big Yellow is Ma’s constant companion.
As a shoe shiner, Ma doesn’t make much money, so feeding himself and Big Yellow is difficult. But according to online reports, Big Yellow is well liked by those in the neighborhood is often given leftovers from a nearby restaurant as Mr. Ma can afford very little for food. Ma actually wanted his dog to be adopted by someone to be able to afford her a better life, but he couldn’t bear to part with his family member.
The photos in the video below were widely circulated by social media in China along with Ma and Big Yellow’s story. People criticized the local government for failing to look after the disabled old man.
In response, the government provided 3 wheelchairs to Ma along with a new TV, a laundry machine, household appliances and have promised to provide him a monthly allowance that media sources said he should have been receiving for more than 20 years. Many people have also donated food and money to the pair.
It would appear that thanks to community action, Mr. Ma and Big Yellow will be able to live more comfortably in the future.
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