Shelter to be renamed to honor former Steeler’s sacrifice
Steve Courson loved his animals – so much so that he sacrificed his life to save Rufus, one of his beloved Labrador retrievers. That love was so moving that it seemed fitting to Robin Moore, who founded the Noah’s Ark animal shelter in Fayette County several years ago, that the shelter be renamed in Courson’s honor. Moore said Monday that once paperwork is completed, the North Gallatin Avenue shelter in Uniontown will be known as Steve Courson’s Humane Society of Fayette County.
Courson, who won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 1985, was killed Thursday when a tree he was cutting down at his Herb Hollow Road home in Farmington fell on him.
Authorities believe Courson was trying to save Rufus, one of his two black Labs, from the falling tree, which was 44 feet tall and 5 feet in circumference.
When rescue workers arrived at Courson’s home, they found Rufus pinned beneath Courson’s legs, hurt, but still alive.
Courson’s brother, Bruce, who lives out of state but was in Fayette County after the accident, told Moore his brother would have been honored about the shelter’s name change, she said. Courson’s brother shared with Moore memories of Rufus and Rachel, whom Courson called Ray-Ray, his two black Labs.
Courson used to take the dogs to his mother’s assisted-living home in Gettysburg at Christmastime, Moore said Bruce Courson told her, and he occasionally sneaked the dogs into restaurants.
“These were his children,” she said. “He didn’t hide the fact that his dogs were his family, and an important part of his family.”
In the coming months, Moore said the ark mural on the building will be replaced with one of Rufus and Ray-Ray, running across the building. She said a mural of Courson also may be included.
Inside, Moore said they may hang one of Courson’s jerseys, and set out pictures of him and his animals to remind visitors of his selfless act.
Personally, Moore said Courson’s death was “life-changing.”
“Every day I see the horrible things. I don’t see the good. So to have this selfless man sacrifice his life for his love of animals is something I don’t see,” she said.
Moore said Courson’s cat, Cassandra, also is at the shelter and up for adoption, although it’s possible that she already may be placed. The black and white tabby, who has green eyes and a penchant for purring, is 10 years old, Moore said. After years of spending time with Courson’s dogs, Moore said she believes the cat is depressed from being separated from her friends.
Officials want to place Cassandra with a loving family who will take care of her, Moore said.
“We want to make sure she gets what she needs,” Moore said.
Humane officials also are struggling to find a way to pay for orthopedic surgery that Courson’s 12-year-old dog, Rufus, needs. The dog has two dislocated hips, and surgery to repair the problem took place Monday.
Courson’s neighbor, who is going to take the dogs, doesn’t have the money to pay, Moore said, so the shelter is raising money to offset costs. The surgery will cost “a couple thousand” dollars, Dr. Don Tummons, the veterinarian caring for Rufus at the Duck Hollow Animal Hospital near Uniontown, previously said.
Moore said Tummons indicated he would pay for the surgery until the money is raised.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Rufus’ surgery fun can send a check to Noah’s Ark, c/o Rufus, 477 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, Pa. 15401. The memo area of the check should include the note “Rufus,” Moore said.
Courson’s decision to save his dog at the ultimate expense of his own life is a lesson in unconditional love, Moore said. That love is something animals always exhibit, she said.
“I’ve never met a human that could do the same, but I have now,” she said. “That unconditional love those animals showed Steve, he showed right back. This really is a story of unconditional love.”