A New Jersey Transit train conductor named Howard Kempton was working on his usual route one Saturday when something strange happened. As the conductor left the South Orange Station, a police officer called Kempton and told him they had spotted a lost dog on the tracks.
Kempton kept an eye out for the dog, and he quickly saw her. The poor dog was cowering on the tracks, completely terrified.
The conductor acted quickly. He immediately halted the train, and then he ran onto the tracks. When Kempton reached the dog, he realized he had another problem: he didn’t have a leash.
And so, Kempton made the dog a leash using his tie. Kempton tied the makeshift leash around the pup’s collar, and he was able to use it to safely get the dog onto the train.
When Kempton and the dog arrived on the train, a passenger took a photo of the heroic conductor. She posted it on her Instagram page with the caption:
“When your @njtransit conductor halts all trains to sprint after a lost dog on the tracks, then forfeits his tie to make her a leash.”
One of the train passengers checked the dog’s ID tag and learned her name was Shelby. They also found Shelby’s owner’s phone number on the ID tag. They were able to reach Shelby’s owner, who was overjoyed to hear her dog was okay.
The pup’s owner, Judy Karamessinis Gunn, explained that she and the dog had been hiking at the nearby South Mountain Reservation. Shelby’s leash broke, and she quickly got lost.
“I looked for her for two hours before I got the call,” Gunn said on Facebook. “You are heroes and I’m forever grateful.”
NJ Transit posted a photo of Kempton and Shelby to their Facebook page, and it received hundreds of likes and shares. Everyone was amazed by Kempton’s heroic actions.
Judy Karamessinis Gunn’s daughter, Allison, also commented on the photo. She thanked Kempton for what he did for their family.
“That is my parents’ dog, Shelby, and she is safe and sound! Thank you so much Howard and NJ Transit for saving her! We are beyond grateful.”
After this exciting day, Kempton headed home to his own dog. We’re sure he gave his dog an extra hug after everything that happened!
Thanks to Kempton’s brave actions, Shelby is back where she belongs with her loving mom. Kempton is a true hero!
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