In a heartwarming twist of fate, a stray dog named Bret Michaels, after catching the public’s attention for saving a kitten’s life by donating blood, has found a new home with rock star Bret Michaels.
The Nebraska Humane Society shared the touching story of how 6-year-old Husky Bret played a crucial role in rescuing a kitten suffering from flea anemia. Dr. Katie James, a veterinarian at the humane society, recalled that canine blood could be transfused into a cat, offering a lifeline to the sick kitten. With little time to find a suitable feline donor, they turned to Bret Michaels, the dog, who had recently undergone bloodwork and displayed healthy levels, making him an ideal donor without the need for additional testing.
The heartwarming tale garnered attention, ultimately reaching rock star Bret Michaels, who was moved by the dog’s compassion and lifesaving act. As a result, Bret Michaels, the Husky, found a loving home with his rock star namesake, marking a beautiful and serendipitous adoption.
After receiving two blood transfusions, Thorn, named after Poison’s 1988 hit single “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” is on the path to recovery. Dr. James, who is fostering the kitten along with its feline companions Bop and Star (named after Poison songs “Unskinny Bop” and “Shooting Star”), plans to care for them until they are ready for adoption.
The heartwarming story of Bret Michaels, the dog, was shared on the shelter’s social media pages, catching the attention of Poison frontman Bret Michaels himself.
“I was immediately captivated by the extraordinary tale of Bret Michaels, the husky, performing a life-saving blood transfusion for Thorn the kitten at the Nebraska Humane Society. It was an absolute honor for me to adopt him,” Michaels expressed in a statement to ABC News. “Growing up with pets since childhood and facing a diagnosis of type one diabetes at the age of six, it’s been the support of family, friends, pets, music, sports, and incredible fans that has kept my spirits rocking. I couldn’t move fast enough to embrace this husky and enhance the already awesome quality of little Bret Jr’s life.”
Michaels, currently on his “Parti-Gras Tour,” took swift action, adopting the husky mix over the weekend through his team’s coordination with the Nebraska Humane Society.
Although the rockstar has yet to meet his new companion in person, his eagerness to ensure the swift adoption of the husky mix was evident. Rose, a representative from the Nebraska Humane Society, shared, “He didn’t want him sitting here in the shelter for any longer. So he sent a friend of his here on Saturday to get him.”
Taking to Instagram, Michaels introduced his furry friends to his fans, showcasing li’l Bret Michaels, the husky, and Roses & Thorn, the rescued kitten. He expressed gratitude to the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to save and improve the lives of pets, turning the spotlight on his new mission: finding an extraordinary home for the rescued kitten.
Reflecting on the unexpected viral response, Rose admitted, “We couldn’t have anticipated that it would have that response. I remember as we were in the vet office taking pictures of the transfusion happening and talking about, ‘Oh, we’ll post this on social media,’ I remember making a comment along the lines of ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if Bret Michaels saw the story?’ And then, three days later, I’m like, ‘I called it!’”
Rose aspires for Bret Michaels, the husky, to serve as a muse, inspiring others to embrace the joy of adopting animals from shelters.
“Welcoming a shelter dog into your life brings rewards not just for the dog but for you as well,” Rose expressed. “If your home and heart have room for a rescue pup, the love and gratitude they bring are truly special.”
Regarding the intriguing origin of Bret Michaels, the dog’s name, Rose unveiled a rock-and-roll twist: “In the midst of choosing rock star-themed names for our animals, fate intervened. The person who brought him in happened to be named Bret Michaels. It was serendipity in action.”
