Kimber, a German Shepherd, was found abandoned on the side of the road and rescued. She was in poor health, was highly underweight, and had mange and secondary skin infections. It was also clear that she had a profound dislike for men. When a male approached her, she would tremble and shake.
But things were about to change for the better in her life! She was taken in by the Charleston Animal Society and nursed back to health. Then Steve Hall, a young marine, adopted Kimber. They shared a special bond, and despite the fact that Steve was a guy, Kimber was not afraid of him.
Hall returned home with PTSD after three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flashbacks and dreams plagued him. It was almost as if Kimber sensed Hall’s anguish and knew she could empathize with her. Hall’s licensed therapy dog provided him with much-needed warmth and love.
Then, in March, Steve Hall consented to let Kimber take part in the annual calendar shoot for the Charleston Animal Society. That’s when Kimber met another man named Rob Tackett, who was very special to her.
For the photoshoot, Kimber and Tackett were placed together. The two hit it off right away. Certainly not because of Tackett’s washboard muscles and dashing good looks– something deeper compelled Kimber to fall head over heels in love with the firefighter.
Tackett and Hall became fast friends after the photoshoot and their instant bond. Hall and what he had gone through was instantly relatable to Tackett, who had served in the army. Plus, Hall could tell Kimber sensed something special in him, and he wasn’t known for being a bad judge of character.
Then Hall required assistance with Kimber. He was scheduled for neck and back surgery, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to look after Kimber while he was recovering.
“Unfortunately, his illness and condition prevented him from providing Kimber with the kind of care he believed she needed. So, with a sad heart, he determined that it would be best for Kimber to be with someone who could care for her,” Tackett stated on his Facebook page after Hall requested him to adopt Kimber. “Knowing how unique Kimber was, he approached me and asked if I could adopt her permanently.”
“I often wonder if the volunteers at the Charleston Animal Society understood what an impact little Kimber would have on the lives of soldiers throughout Charleston, SC when she was abandoned and tormented with mange,” he wrote in his message. “I wonder whether they knew she was one of those dogs, blessed by God, who could see straight through tragedy, straight to the vulnerable portions of all of us – the bits we so skillfully hide from one another.”
“I’m not sure if the contributors, calendar sponsors, men and women who purchase Charleston Firefighter Calendars, or the CAS staff realized how much she would touch so many people’s lives.” I’m not sure if anyone realized what her life’s mission was, but I do know they cared enough to save her, and I know they were able to do so thanks to our community’s generosity and the fundraising efforts of the CAS Charleston Firefighter Calendar.
“I have had the honor of observing one special German Shepherd offer so much joy to our military as a result of these deeds and the incredible generosity and support of our community.”
