Some people just have exceptionally big hearts.

Mark Pascoe and Rebecca Campbell are two of those, as is State Trooper Thomas.

Around 8 o’clock Wednesday morning, a vehicle struck a dog as it was crossing busy U.S. Highway 231 just south of Troy.

Fortunately, the dog was knocked into the turn lane, which provided it with a measure of safe harbor from the vehicles speeding along the four-lane highway.

State Trooper Thomas arrived on the scene and drove his vehicle into a position of protection for the injured animal.

The flashing blue light of the trooper’s car slowed traffic as it approached the accident scene.

Thomas radioed the Pike County Sheriff’s department and kept watch while waiting for help to arrive.

Campbell, who lives in the nearby area, watched from a side road as “tons” of vehicles raced along the highway and the dog lay helplessly in middle of the road.

“I have seen the dog around where I live but I don’t know whether it belongs to anyone or not,” Campbell said.

“But I can’t stand to see it lying there hurt and so scared.”

After nearly 30 minutes, Mark Pascoe was traveling south on the highway when he saw the injured dog. He immediately turned around, went back and stopped.

“I don’t especially like people but I like dogs,” Pascoe said, laughing.

“That’s why I went back.”

He approached the dog that was trembling with fear.

“He was hurt pretty bad and scared to death and I felt sorry for the little guy,” Pascoe said.

Pascoe approached the injured dog and rubbed his head without any hostile reaction and expressed confidence that he could move the dog. Campbell offered to take him to the Troy Animal Clinic.

Thomas stopped traffic while Campbell pulled her truck into the turn lane. Pascoe gently lifted the dog and placed him in the truck for the short ride to the animal clinic.

Susan Jinright, treasurer of the Humane Society of Pike County, had been contacted and said the society would take care of the emergency treatment of the dog.

“As of late Wednesday, we’re not sure what treatment will be required,” Jinright said. “His front leg is broken in two places and will either have to have a pin put in the leg or it will have to be amputated. The humane society will be able to help with some of the expenses but the surgery will be rather costly. Following the treatment, someone will have to take are of him.”

And that someone will probably be Mark Pascoe.

“I’ve been in touch with the people at Troy Animal Clinic and they asked me if I could fork out a little extra money and I’ll do that,” Pascoe said.

“Like I said, I feel sorry for the little guy and, if I can help him, I will. He’s a good dog and he needs somebody.”