Most 10-year-olds spend their Christmas money on toys, games, or candy. Austyn Ladd spent every single dollar on shelter dogs he had never even met.
Austyn is 10 years old and lives in Hastings, Nebraska. And from the moment you hear his story, you will understand that some people are simply born with a heart too big for their age.
When Austyn and his mom Jolene spotted a good deal on dog beds at the store, something clicked in him.
He thought about the animals at Start Over Rover, the local animal shelter in Hastings, sleeping on old blankets while they waited for someone to bring them home. And he made a decision right then and there.
He grabbed a cart. His mom grabbed a cart. And together, they filled both of them up and took every single bed.
All 27 of them.
“He used all his Christmas money on all the beds,” said Jolene. “He did not have a dollar left to his name. I honestly cried on the way home. I was touched.”
When the beds arrived at Start Over Rover, the shelter finally had something fresh and warm to offer the animals in their care.
Photos showed cats already snuggled up and settled in, finding comfort in something soft for the very first time.
Kelly Zubrod, the shelter’s Executive Director, said the gift was about far more than the beds themselves.
“It is very thoughtful of him. They definitely raised him well because he is thinking of others instead of himself.”
And when Austyn was asked why he did it, he gave the simplest and most beautiful answer.
“I don’t think they should have just these blankets. They should have a nice warm bed, just like we would like it.”
Ten years old. Every dollar gone. Zero regrets.
Source: fox42kptm – “Hastings boy spends all of his money on dog beds for local animal rescue”