You cannot truly appreciate the generosity, kindness and compassion of fellow human beings until you have reached out for help and experienced first hand the overwhelming results.

What started out as a request for help from my co-workers at Natchez Regional ended up involving our entire community. Since I am known by my co-workers as the lady who takes in stray animals, I was the first one contacted when a patient from another state entered our emergency department in need of medical assistance with his dog, Paco Bell, in tow.

My cousin and fellow animal lover, Margaret Stutzman, arrived to help us get Paco situated at a local veterinarian’s office for boarding. A week later, Paco was moved to my house where he fit right in with my other assorted collection of animals.

When the time arrived for Paco’s owner to go home, he traveled home to Pennsylvania on a bus, but dogs are not allowed to travel by this mode of transportation. Not knowing exactly how I would manage, but knowing how much Paco meant to his owner; I assured the patient that he and Paco would be reunited by Christmas.

I turned to my co-workers for a donation to the “Help get Paco Bell home for Christmas” campaign, and before I knew it, The Natchez Democrat was calling to do a story on our efforts.

Once the story ran, our community opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help us fly Paco home.

I am happy to report that Paco Bell and his owner were reunited Dec. 15. Paco flew by my side to New York. I had a planned trip to New York City with a group of friends and decided that I would fly Paco with me and rent a car to deliver him to his owner in Redding, Penn. The generous donations of my co-workers and our community allowed this reunion of man and his best friend to take place, and I only wish there were words to adequately explain the joyous homecoming.

This is so much more than just a story about a dog and his owner. It’s about people helping a total stranger who found himself hundreds of miles from home with no discretionary money to get his dog home. It’s about people recognizing that a pet can truly bring joy, happiness and unconditional love to its owner. And most importantly, it’s a heartwarming story about a community that cared enough to respond to this story in such a positive and generous way. Once Paco’s plane trip and rental car were paid, we were able to donate $170 to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

To everyone that helped, offered to help or spread the word, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This is a Christmas I will always remember and cherish the warm feelings brought about by our community.

Remember you not only helped Paco but most of all, you brought true joy and happiness to a fellow human being.

Lyn Latimer is a registered nurse at Natchez Regional Medical Center.