"I never realized there were that many people out there that cared," says an emotional Richard Reister.

He's the disabled veteran from Chesaning who's mowing lawns for $10 to raise money for a life-saving surgery for his dog, David.

When we first met Reister, he'd gotten two calls. Once we ran the story, things changed.

"[I got] about 150 letters a day and at least 300 phone calls."

Pet-lovers near and far appreciated the tale of a man so devoted to his dog, his best friend. And since, Reister has received more than $10,000 towards the $8,000 hip-replacement surgery.

Every donation has a story behind it, but Reister was especially moved by an 8th grade teacher from Howell and her class, who raised as much as they could after hearing the story.

"In all, it was about $560," he says.

Even with the jaw-dropping donations he's received, Reister has no plans to abandon his lawnmower fundraising. When we met him Sunday, he was on his way to mow a three-acre yard.

"If I didn't keep mowing yards, I'd begin to think it's everyone else's responsibility to take care of my dog. And it isn't. It's my dog. It's my responsibility."

The last hurdle? Doctors say david the dog must lose 40 pounds before he can have the surgery. For Reister, that's doable, now that he's seen what's possible.

"It's made me change my outlook on people."

And it's those people he and his dog want to thank.