Photo: FOX5
The Las Vegas community has come together to help a veteran in need.
Brian Germany was on his way to California from Colorado, along with his dog Buster. The duo made a stop at Lake Mead when Brian suffered a heat-related illness. "I was laying on the ground outside the car," Brian explains. "He was nudging me with his nose trying to get me to get up."
After being taken away in an ambulance, Brian's car was towed and Buster was taken to the animal shelter.
"I was going crazy. Completely. I was thinking he was gone forever," Brian said.
Racking up thousands in impound fees, Brian's friend Shannen Loo posted his story to Facebook.
"He fought for our country, he's a veteran, he's older, he needs our help," said Shannen. She also offered to get Buster out of the shelter when Brian wasn't able to.
As the story circulated, word eventually got to Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who was able to get Brian's car released for free.
"My chief of staff actually went down there and told them of the situation," said the Councilwoman. "Finally, we find out that they went ahead and waived the fees."
But they didn't stop there. Shannen created a GoFundMe to help Brian get back on his feet.
Thanks to support from the community, Brian and Buster were able to move into a new apartment in North Las Vegas. He plans to use the GoFundMe to pay for groceries and rent.
"You know, I'm usually the giver not the receiver," Brian said. "I've helped a lot of people. It's easier to give than it is to receive."