The bond that forms between a person and their pet is magical and miraculous. The devotion dogs have for their owners is extraordinary. In the case of Big Yellow and Ma’nao, the alliance is especially astounding.
Though not trained as a service dog, Big Yellow takes care of her owner in a big way, a way that summons tears. Ma’nao has been paralyzed since the age of 6, when he was struck with polio. The disease left him unable to use his legs. After his wife died, his only kin was his Golden German Shepherd. Daily, Ma struggled to survive, earning a meager living shining shoes. The street was his home.
His means of transportation was a makeshift wheelchair. Food was scarce. Ma had no aid from the Chinese government. Fortunately, the kindness of neighbors and his loving dog kept him alive. Big Yellow would propel Ma in his wheelchair, pushing him gently down the street. Ma’s shoe-shining stall was over a half-mile away, in the village of Magou, China.
Without Big Yellow behind him, he wouldn’t have been able to make the trek. While Ma shined shoes, Big Yellow scouted around for small scraps of meat. Ma’s lunch consisted of bread. Day’s end brought Big Yellow back to Ma’s side. This was how the two lived for 40 years. Somehow, Ma’s plight made it to the Internet, where it came to the attention of the Chinese government.
Now Ma and Big Yellow have the benefit of a portable electric stove, microwave, washing machine, and TV. Ma has a replacement wheelchair that Big Yellow continues to lovingly power. The government has promised Ma a subsidized income so he and his dog no longer have to get by on scraps. Big Yellow continues to be the sunshine in Ma’s life, with a bond that will last forever.
