Bulldog and Owner Hope to Heal Newtown one Hug at a Time

By Miranda Leitsinger, NBC News

Credit: Miranda Leitsinger, NBC News

Bulldog and Owner Hope to Heal Newtown one Hug at a Time

December 15, 2012 Updated Dec 15, 2012 at 3:53 PM PDT

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Retired special education teacher Michael Cragin couldn't sleep Friday night, thinking about the tragedy that had struck his community and claimed the lives of 20 children at an elementary school.

He wanted to do something to help, and when he saw his English bulldog, Truman, Saturday morning, he suddenly knew what he could do: his beloved canine could offer the grieving members of Newtown a hug.

Cragin, 63, and Truman, 15 months, came down to the local Dunkin' Donuts shop, where he opened up the hatch of his SUV and posted a handwritten sign: “My bulldog gives hugs.”

“He wants to give them that hug and that seems to be what counts,” Cragin said. “I hope I can make their day to some extent, that's all.”

Families stopped by to pet Truman. People asked the name of the dog. Sandy Hook resident Sarah Kehoe, a fellow bulldog owner, came over and said: “Love it.” Another man said: “He's a good boy.”

To read more about this story CLICK HERE.

To submit a comment on this article, your email address is required. We respect your privacy and your email will not be visible to others nor will it be added to any email lists.