Tim Shaddock rescue: Ben Fogle offers to pay for Australian sailor and his dog to be reunited after emotional separation
Ben Fogle has offered to pay for Australian sailor Tim Shaddock’s reunion with his dog after an emotional breakup.
The 49-year-old broadcaster recently presented the friendly gesture in an interview Instagram post. Reflecting on finding out about Shaddock and his pet Bella, who were recently separated after being stranded in the Pacific Ocean for three months, he offered to help them.
“I was so moved and inspired by Tim and Bella’s story that I want to help them be reunited,” Fogle wrote. “I would happily offer to pay for quarantine and Bella’s trip to Australia to join Tim Shaddock.”
In the comments of the post, many fans praised the zoo Moderator for the offer.
“Such a lovely and generous gesture, Ben. The world needs more people like you,” one wrote, while another added, “You’re a good man Ben.”
Some fans asked Fogle to share an update on whether he can reunite Shaddock and Bella, and one wrote, “Please let us know how this goes… It broke my heart to read that they had been separated.”
Earlier this week, the 51-year-old Sydney resident and dog were found off the coast of Mexico after missing at sea for almost three months. According to local news reports, the couple survived by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater. The doctor who took care of the sailor said he had “normal vital signs” and that his dog was “stable and very well”.
The couple first set out on their trip in April, from La Paz, Mexico, to French Polynesia. Weeks into the journey, their boat was severely damaged by a storm, resulting in them having to spend their days surviving while awaiting rescue. About two months later, it was reported that a helicopter escorting a tuna trawler spotted Shaddock’s boat.
“I endured a very severe ordeal at sea. I just need rest and good food because I was alone at sea [for] a long time. Otherwise, my health is very good,” he told Australian broadcaster 9News after the rescue.
Shaddock later revealed that he had decided to leave Bella behind in Mexico after a lifeboat crew member promised to give her a happy and loving home.
“Bella somehow found me in the middle of Mexico. She’s Mexican,” he explained. “She’s the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldn’t let me go. I tried three times to find her a home and she just kept following me out on the water. She’s a lot braver than me, that’s for sure.”
In conversation with the Associated Press On Tuesday, Shaddock said while he plans to return to Australia to see his family, he is unsure when he will return to sea.
