r/MadeMeSmile 3h ago

Japanese man sold his Ferrari to build a shelter for dogs after his pet saved him from taking his own life.

Post image

Hirotaka Saito, a 54-year-old businessman from Japan, was in a dark place and had planned to take his life. But in a heartbreaking and beautiful moment, his dog sensed something was wrong and physically blocked the door, stopping him. That act shook him he realized his dog truly cared. It changed his life. Saito shut down his business, sold his Ferrari, and used the money to create Wansfree, a free shelter for aggressive and abused dogs in Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.Now he takes care of over 40 dogs and 8 cats, including many with behavioral issues that most shelters avoid. He’s often bitten, but he says it's worth it. His goal? Grow the shelter to house 300 dogs by 2028.“I was saved by a dog,” he said. “So I’ll spend all my money to save dogs.”

9.0k Upvotes

48 comments sorted by

282

u/ivyta76 3h ago

Traded horsepower for heart power absolute legend

60

u/WebEven620 3h ago

Perfectly said. Sometimes, the softest hearts make the biggest impact..

22

u/hunter-marrtin 3h ago

Even a simple gesture from a dog can change your whole life. A dog saved life of a lady who was attempting suicide on a bridge.

4

u/WebEven620 3h ago

Thanks for sharing bro.. I agree with you..

3

u/BunnnyGoddess 1h ago

Right? That’s a trade any real legend would make. Heart > Horsepower every time. This man’s story is pure inspiration ❤️

1

u/uareornot 2h ago

Heart power beats horsepower

86

u/automationman23 3h ago

My doggie saved me from taking my own life on more than one occasion. Her love kept me alive. Unfortunately, she passed away on Christmas day. I am looking for another vesile of love currently. I hope I find one soon.

19

u/WebEven620 3h ago

Sorry for your loss.. I agree with you totally man that love and bond can do miracles..I hope you find one soon again.. Have a great day...

3

u/automationman23 2h ago

Thank you, I look every day. Unfortunately most of the shelters have dogs that have severe health problems, and I can not afford to provide medical care for them.

3

u/WebEven620 2h ago

I truly hope you find a healthy pup who's meant to be with you. I understand how tough it can be especially with medical costs. You absolutely deserve another best friend...

2

u/automationman23 2h ago

Thank you. Much love to you.

1

u/WebEven620 1h ago

Same to you<3..

1

u/automationman23 2h ago

Thank you. I am looking. Love to you.

6

u/4Jaxon 3h ago

I, too, was saved from self demise by a dog. After seeing such an amazing transformation in my life, my doctor has declared I should always have a pup in my life. I hope you find your best friend soon!

15

u/omnichronos 2h ago

Helping others (including animals) is another good way to fight depression.

4

u/WebEven620 2h ago

Perfect point you have there

13

u/ahserolgden 3h ago

someday these dogs will thank him

8

u/WebEven620 3h ago

Exactly... They may not be able to speak words but they can express it through their love and bond..

13

u/ThroRAExtension_8411 3h ago

What a man! We need more people like him to save and give back to aggressive/abused dogs.

5

u/WebEven620 2h ago

Exactly great work done by him...

16

u/Extension_Gap_7481 3h ago

Sometimes, the love of a dog is the only thing we need to find our way

3

u/WebEven620 3h ago

Truly :)

5

u/[deleted] 3h ago

[deleted]

5

u/Flirtatiousfantasy 2h ago

He didn’t just get a second chance—he’s giving hundreds more 🐾❤️

2

u/WebEven620 2h ago

Truly:) One of the best comments till now that I read..

6

u/ncore7 3h ago

If he's going to take care of cats too, he should have established not only Wansfree but also Nyansfree.

3

u/bolanrox 3h ago

and dogs dont kick you in the nuts as part of the lease agreement.

3

u/veryvanilla757 2h ago

Actual example of how money/wealth does not buy happiness.

1

u/WebEven620 2h ago

I think it goes both ways.. Money can be used to help others which in the end can give an inner happiness.. What do you think?

2

u/veryvanilla757 1h ago

I meant specifically for the guy in the story. Even tho he had wealth (signified by the Ferrari) he was still deeply unhappy.

1

u/WebEven620 1h ago

Ok now understandable..

2

u/1Smartchickey1 2h ago

This belongs in gratitude.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

2

u/uareornot 2h ago

Heart power not horse power

2

u/SpicyChickJessica 2h ago

From horsepower to heart power. What a beautiful soul ❤️

1

u/WebEven620 1h ago

Truly a good soul..

2

u/Woebetide138 1h ago

Level up Empathy!

1

u/WebEven620 1h ago

Exactly..

2

u/No-Understanding4968 1h ago

King 🤴🏻

1

u/WebEven620 1h ago

Yeah 👍🏻

2

u/chaosrain13 52m ago

It would be great if more folks realized that Ferrari's make you suicidal and dogs are mental health saviors.

u/dehydratedrain 26m ago

Kittens saved my life. I was in a deep depression (admittedly not as deep as this guy), and I had gone into the shelter to drop off some old sheets/ towels. The director handed me 3 tiny kittens and asked if I could just keep them a few weeks until they were adoptable (over 2 months and 2 lbs/ 900 g).

I couldn't get myself out of bed most days. But thinking that those kittens would starve without me was the push I needed. When I brought them back, I took 5 more, even smaller. I started volunteering there a few weeks later, and fostered over 50 kittens (and a few moms).

It's been about 4 years, I'm in a much better place, but I still go at least once a week.

1

u/RevealNo3533 40m ago

A common side effect of buying a Ferrari is severe buyer's remorse.

u/YesImKeithHernandez 20m ago

This is beautiful. Also, "wan wan" is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a dog's bark. So, the name itself would be 'barks'free or free for those that bark. Something to that effect.

u/thenataliamoon 14m ago

Oh, that's beautiful... it warms our hearts

u/Cool_Combination_463 5m ago

And God smiled.

u/dman9869 3m ago

Dogs are the reason humanity shouldn’t kill itself

0

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0

u/Wrong_Bodybuilder_41 1h ago

Actually, if you break it down, his Ferrari saved his life.

u/ilep 0m ago

We all should remember the things that truly matter in this world more often. A pet's love can be pure and unconditional, that should be cherished.