How would you respond if you saw a backpack moving on the side of the road? Ignore it or stop? It’s an odd thing to imagine but that’s exactly what happened to truck driver Aaron Kinsel in January when he was out on his daily route.
Kinsel works for Rumpke Waste & Recycling.
He drives a refuse collection vehicle in Colerain Township outside of Cincinnati where every day, he is used to going up and down the same streets in the same neighborhoods.
Familiar with the area
It’s safe to say that he knows the area pretty well. However, on one of his recent trash runs, he saw something completely out of the ordinary — an abandoned backpack that was bouncing around. The company shared the story on Facebook where it immediately started going viral.
“Rumpke Driver Aaron Kinsel was servicing customers when he noticed a discarded backpack along the roadway. After additional observation, he noticed the bag was moving, so he got out of the truck to investigate. Inside the bag he found a distraught 10-week old puppy.”
An animal inside
After stopping to investigate, Kinsel was shocked to find that the bag contained a tiny puppy.
The little pup was a female boxer mix that had been born just a few short months ago. She still had a long life ahead of her, yet, her owners had abandoned her alongside the road, trapped inside the backpack.
“I felt like I was meant to find her,” said Kinsel.
It’s a miracle that Kinsel came when he did.
A Rumpke truck driver is a hero after saving a puppy this morning. Aaron Kinsel was servicing customers in Colerain…
Posted by Rumpke Waste & Recycling on Wednesday, January 27, 2021
In rough shape
When he arrived, the tiny boxer was hurt and not looking good.
She had a broken leg and was very dehydrated. However, the poor pup was rushed to the veterinarian’s office where they immediately looked her over and gave her the care that she required.
A Rumpke Waste & Recycling driver is a hero after saving a puppy Wednesday morning in Colerain Township just outside…
Posted by Rumpke Waste & Recycling on Thursday, January 28, 2021
Disaster was averted, yet, Kinsel still couldn’t get the dog out of his mind.
How could someone just abandon her like that to die?
He knew what he had to do.
Kinsel and his family volunteered to adopt the pup after the vets finished up with treatment. They are naming her Tipper.
While they are still determining the best course of action for how to deal with the leg, it’s expected that the puppy will survive and will soon be able to go home to her forever home.
From lost to found, it was a crazy course of events for the pup.
She was discarded like trash, but in a beautiful turnaround, the trash man recognized her for the true treasure that she is. Things could have easily gone very differently, however, Kinsel’s keen eye and loving heart have pretty much guaranteed there will be a happy ending here.
Going the extra mile
In addition, Rumpke Waste & Recycling has offered to pay for all of the puppy’s treatment at the vet’s office.
She might need an expensive surgery, but the veterinarians are still considering all of the options. The company is very proud of their driver and want to show support.
“We do our best to take care of our communities and always do the right thing,” said Kendra Catherman Cincinnati safety manager at Rumpke.
“We are very proud of Aaron and delighted to make Tipper an honorary member of our Rumpke team.”
UPDATE: Tipper had surgery today to amputate her rear leg that was broken in two places. The surgery went well and she…
Posted by Rumpke Waste & Recycling on Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Commenters on Facebook are overjoyed about the story as well. One woman also had a very important message that we think that everyone needs to hear:
“So glad this puppy was found… Thanks for being observant… And to whom it may concern: There are other options to dumping a defenseless animal. Call a shelter. There are many and easy to find, but you have to be decent enough to look,” wrote Karen Dickerson S.
If you are ever unable to care for a dog, don’t just abandon it, call a shelter. Ask for help!
You can check out the original post below. We’re so happy this little pup was saved!
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