Akwesasronon Seeking Votes For Petco Foundation Contest

Each year, Petco Foundation, with their annual Holiday Wishes campaign, invites adopters to share the story of how their adopted pet changed their lives. The Petco Holiday Wishes Campaign is two-fold. Petco awarded 52 Holiday Wishes grants to various lifesaving animal welfare organizations throughout the country and in turn their stories are voted on by through the "People's Choice' competition to win up to $25,000 and a grand prize of $100,000. Stories were submitted from around the country and Petco chose 52 stories.

Kernie Sawatis, originally from Akwesasne submitted his story through the Indian Summers Border Collie Rescue OAIC, Inc. in Ohio. Sawatis left Akwesasne years ago to work around the country as a millwright. Through his travels he landed in Pennsylvania, where he settled and retired. The past few years have been very rough for him personally with his wife passing away and then his beloved dog dying.

Sawatis knew how having a pet was a lifesaver after losing his wife so he searched for a border collie online. He found one in nearby Ohio and while there he helped change some much need lighting in a barn housing various pets. After changing the light, he experienced lightheadedness, shortness of breath and told the owners. The owners quickly took him to the nearest hospital where they operated on him immediately.

During surgery to repair his aorta, he had a stroke and his heart stopped not once, but twice during the procedure; once for two minutes and then another for four minutes setting Sawatis up for a long, intensive year of recovery.

Which brings us to his story. The story is cleverly written through the eyes of his dog Katie, who is ever vigilant and dutiful in announcing to Sawatis' caretakers when Sawatis needed help. Katie was there when he was needed the most, often snuggling next to Sawatis when he was sleeping and being there to lay his paw on his hands to let him know he wasn't alone.

From his story..."When the tubes were removed, he had to learn to eat and talk again-and I am really good at both. Every day I helped him clean his dish, which really impressed his caregiver. Now they bring two bowls: one for him and one for me. But when he finishes his food, he still has me lick his dish clean.

He likes to watch TV. One day he could not reach the remote control, so I helped. I picked it up in my mouth and dropped it in his hand that moves. His face made a smile."

Now Mr. Sawatis is turning to Akwesasne for votes to win the Petco Holiday Wishes. Sawatis' story is one of 52 stories you will find on the Petco Foundation wesite/Facebook page. Voting takes place through Facebook only. Once on Facebook, find Petco Foundation, "like" the page and you're ready to vote. Or you can type in Petco Foundation, look for 'Holiday Wishes', click on the blue box of 'See the 2017 Holiday Recipients', this will take you to all 52 stories. Click on big red sign of "Vote Now". Clicking on any story takes you to Facebook. Mr. Sawatis' story will steal your heart. Voting ends on December 20, 2017 at 5pm EST.