Currituck County, N.C. - An Elizabeth City, N.C. man in failing health has decided to donate his prized Corvette to the animal shelter that has brought so much love into his final years of life.
For Don Sawyer, it was love at first sight when he met his energetic little girl.
“The minute I seen her, she looked at me and I looked at her and my sister was with me and I said, that's her,” says Sawyer.
For two years now, Ms. Pat has been by his side through good times and bad and lately, they`ve gotten about as bad as they can get.
“It's just one thing after another, the golden years aren't all they're cracked up to be, trust me,” says Sawyer. “The condition right now is about the best my condition will get. If I walk from here to that wall I'm done for.”
He's dealt with years of heart problems, has COPD and other ailments.
Even knowing that he may not have much longer, his thoughts aren't about himself.
Last week, he called the Currituck County Animal Shelter, the one that brought Pat into his life, and offered them a gift.
“I am not easily moved to tears, but when I got off the phone with Mr. Sawyer, I was so overwhelmed,” says Ginger Sikes with the Currituck Animal Shelter.
He signed over the titles to the shelter for his van and a shiny red '96 Corvette.
They haven't gotten the cars appraised yet, but the shelter estimates they'll bring in at least $15,000, and every penny of that money will go towards helping the animals at the shelter.
“It makes it easier to go, you know. I mean it's never easy, don't get me wrong, I don't want to, but the ball ain't in my court no more, but it makes it easier,” says Sawyer.