WILKES-BARRE — After the snowstorm of the century, it was good to stumble across a story about a boy and a dog.

And we all must be tired of the daily Trump-versus-the-world stories and the incessant whining on both sides of the political spectrum — the chest-pounders who apparently are still celebrating Trump’s victory, and the Hillary faithful who just can’t let go of what happened.

So when I read about this kid and this dog, I found the story fascinating, and it should be heard by as many people as possible. Whether it will ever change the way this world is and appears to be headed, I don’t know — but it should.

Mauco Abeiro, 9 of Guaymallén, Argentina, is the kid. The dog’s name is Rocco.

The story goes that Mauco came upon Rocco one day and noticed the dog was injured — he had a broken leg. Mauco brought the dog home only to have his mom tell him they couldn’t afford to take the dog to a veterinarian, and they certainly couldn’t afford to keep the dog.

That didn’t discourage Mauco. This 9-year-old kid had a skateboard — we’re told it was his favorite toy. Having a skateboard is a very big deal to a kid in Guaymallén, Argentina.

So Mauco decided he would sell his skateboard — giving up his favorite toy so he could afford to take Rocco to a vet and get his leg fixed.

According to the website doggiescare.com, Mauco was able to use his mom’s Facebook page to post the following:

“Hi I’m Mauco, Laura’s son. She lent me her Facebook because I don’t have one,” he wrote. “Look at this puppy. I found him in the street. He is sick and has a broken leg. I fed him and gave him a bath, but he needs treatment. I’m selling my skateboard to take him to the vet. If anyone is interested in the skateboard, leave your number here so my mom can call you. Thank you, Mauco.”

Well, nobody bought the skateboard, but the response to Mauco’s plea for help for Rocco was overwhelming. To use a social media term, it went “viral.”

Mauco took Rocco to the vet and got him fixed. And he was also able to keep Rocco and provide for him a loving home. Even better, Mauco still has his skateboard.

There are so many lessons to be learned here. If we all adopted the same attitude Mauco did toward Rocco, the world would indeed be a much better place to live in and, perhaps, we wouldn’t see the insanity that seems to grab headlines every day.

This kid, living in a world that offers little more than a skateboard to create a day of fun, has taught us all a lesson. He has shown us what true compassion is, what humanity is all about, what friendship means, and what unconditional love really means.

The best stories are stories like Mauco and Rocco. All you have to do is go to the doggiescare.com website and look at the pictures of Mauco and Rocco. They will make you feel good — real good. They might make you cry.

I know I’ve said this before, but this story reminds me so much of my parents. They gave so much of themselves and taught me lessons I carry today.

Like the one about Chuckie, the mentally challenged boy who lived next door. To put it lightly, Chuckie didn’t have much of a life. When he would hear the bells of the Mister Softee truck coming, he would light up and clap his hands and smile from ear to ear.

So did I, actually, but my mom wouldn’t let me get anything from Mister Softee until I got Chuckie his favorite — a vanilla cone. Once Chuckie got his treat, my mom would then give me money to get what I wanted.

That simple show of kindness, compassion and unconditional love meant everything to Chuckie, and all these years later, it still guides me in my daily life.

Just like the story about Mauco and Rocco.

Bill O’Boyle
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_Columnshot-4-.jpg.optimal.jpgBill O’Boyle

By Bill O’Boyle

boboyle@timesleader.com

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at boboyle@timesleader.com.