Patrick is a homeless man whose constant companion is his beloved dog Franklin. Patrick sometimes would even go hungry for days, as he always made sure that Franklin ate before he did.

Sadly, Patrick and Franklin found themselves in a difficult situation recently, and a stranger named Wilma Price stepped in to help them in a huge way.

Wilma was walking out of her local Walmart in Huntsville, Texas when she saw Patrick holding a sign that read, “Dog in pound. Need help.” Wilma is a huge dog lover and was drawn to Patrick right away as soon as she saw his sign. She only had $8 to her name so Wilma decided to walk straight to her car. Halfway there, however, she turned around and walked over to Patrick.

“He looked like a little boy standing there lost,” Wilma said of Patrick.

Patrick explained to Wilma that he had been arrested for trespassing and subsequently spent two nights in jail. During this time, Franklin was taken from him and sent to a shelter because he was classified as a stray. When Patrick went to the shelter after his release, he was told that he would have to pay $120 in order for Franklin to be given back to him. He obviously did not have the money.

Patrick told Wilma he was terrified that Franklin would be adopted or euthanized before he could get him back. Touched by his story, Wilma decided to help him. She pooled money with a friend and went right to the shelter with Patrick to get Franklin back!

Patrick began to cry as soon as he was reunited with his beloved dog.

“You did more for me than most people have done in my life,” Patrick told Wilma. “You don’t know how much I thank you.”

And Wilma did not stop there! She set up a GoFundMe page to help Patrick and Franklin out even more.

Wilma is hoping that her story will serve as a reminder to others to never “judge a book by its cover.” We need more people like Wilma in the world!