Woman praises Florida man killed trying to save dogs

Woman praises Florida man killed trying to save dogs
By DANE SCHILLER Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 3, 2008, 4:05PM

The Houston owners of the three dogs that a Hurricane Ike relief worker from Florida died trying to save said today they feel horrible and are grateful to Robert "Bob" Emery.

Emery was killed the night of Sept. 27 as he tried to reach the three dogs, huddled on the East Freeway median, after one of them had apparently had its paw mangled by a passing car.

Emery, a 54-year-old loner and jack of all trades, was hit by a motorcycle before he could reach the dogs, which were later rescued by animal-control officers.

Speaking out for the first time, the dogs' owners said Friday that they were thankful that Emery tried to help.

"You just don't meet people with hearts like that," said the dogs' owner, whose name is Jackie. She spoke with the Houston Chronicle on the condition her last name not be published in order to protect her privacy.

Emery's death has rallied animal lovers, who have vowed that Emery won't be forgotten and won't be buried as a pauper, even if his family is never located.

He had been living alone in a trailer in Big Pine Key, an island off the southern edge of Florida, but was recently evicted for failing to pay rent.

He came to Texas as part of a crew of about a dozen men from Florida who had been through hurricanes in their own lives and wanted to help Texas out as well as make some money.
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