Category: Awww

Sacramento Police Dispatcher Adopts Shelter Dog Who Comforted Him after Tragedy

As she stood watch over a woman packing her things to leave during a domestic disturbance call, Officer Tara O’Sullivan with the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) was ambushed by Adel Sambrano Ramos, who shot and killed her. O’Sullivan was only 26 years old and had graduated from the Sacramento Police Academy just six months ago.

“She gave her young life while protecting our community,” Deputy Chief Dave Peletta told reporters the morning after the June 19 shooting. “There are no words to convey the depth of sadness we feel or how heartbroken we are for the family of our young, brave officer.”

The unidentified SPD dispatcher who monitored the tragedy is “the best of the best,” the department wrote on its Facebook page June 22, “and hearing those two words, ‘officer down,’ is every dispatcher’s worst nightmare.”

As they frequently do for police dispatchers after critical incidents, the Front Street Animal Shelter brought in some homeless dogs to provide the SPD dispatcher with some much-needed emotional therapy. The manager of the shelter happens to be a former dispatcher with this police department.

After they provide lots of furry comfort, the dogs are usually returned to the shelter. But that wasn’t the case with this dispatcher.

“This story, after the events of this week, is a little bit of light in the darkness,” the Sacramento Police Department wrote on Facebook. “Please indulge us.”

The dispatcher immediately hit it off with a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix from the Front Street Animal Shelter and decided to adopt him. He’s named his new family member Sullivan or “Sully,” in honor of the young fallen officer.

“We like to think they rescued each other,” the Sacramento Police Department wrote.

May Officer Sullivan rest in peace, and may the dispatcher and Sully enjoy many years of happiness together.

A scholarship in O’Sullivan’s name is being created at her alma mater, Sacramento State University. To find out how to make a donation, go to the university’s website.

To help support the Front Street Animal Shelter, visit its website.

Photo: Sacramento Police Department/Facebook

Pit Bull Found Alive in Rubble Days After Apartment Fire

Kayla Marie Blake saved the life of her Pit Bull, Rebel, two times. The first time was three years ago, when she adopted him from a shelter. The second time was last week, when she left him in the bedroom of her apartment with the door closed.

While this may not seem like a life-saving action, it was the closed door that probably saved Rebel’s life when a five-alarm fire broke out in the Harrisonburg, Va., apartment building on March 28.

Harrisonburg Fire officials said ‏all occupants of the complex were safely evacuated within an hour, but that didn’t include some four-legged occupants, including Rebel.

Fearing the worst, Blake returned to the apartment complex two days after the fire. “I saw the window of my room, and I couldn’t believe how much was still left compared to the rest of the building,” she told WTVR.

Imagine the relief Blake felt when she heard Rebel barking from inside her third-story apartment. But she was still concerned that he may have been injured. She called the fire department to check on her dog.

When firefighters entered Blake’s bedroom, Rebel was hiding under a desk.

“He was growling at them,” Blake told WTVR. “Then he started barking and didn’t stop until he saw me enter the room.”

A crowd that had gathered outside the apartment complex cheered when Blake emerged, carrying her beloved Rebel in her arms.

Despite his ordeal, Rebel only suffered a burn to his nose. His veterinarian said it was hard to tell the dog had lived through a fire.

Rebel isn’t the only lucky pet to survive the fire. Another dog was found alive, curled up in a bathtub, about five hours after the fire was put out. Sadly, a cat didn’t survive the fire, which is believed to have been caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials,” according to the fire department.

Blake’s apartment may be a total loss, but she still has what mattered to her most. “Rebel was the only salvageable thing in the room,” she told WTVR. “I’m just happy I have my best friend back. The rest can be replaced.”

Photo: Harrisonburg Fire Department/Twitter

Dog Has New Home with Heroes Who Rescued Him from Arizona Freeway

During rush hour Tuesday afternoon, a German Shepherd mix wandered in and out of traffic on a busy freeway in Tempe, Ariz. Some drivers stopped and attempted to lure the stray dog to them, to no avail.

As they watched this dangerous situation unfold in a live stream on the azfamily 3TV CBS 5 Facebook page, Kim and Andrew Vander Stoep decided to do something about it. They grabbed a leash, water and dog treats, then got in their truck and drove to the freeway.

Kim, who works at an animal hospital, walked across the Elliot Road off-ramp and was able to get the leash on the dog as he was distracted by other good Samaritans who’d stopped to help. While waiting for Andrew to arrive in the truck, she gave the dog water and treats.

The Vander Stoeps took the dog to the animal hospital where Kim works to see if he had a microchip. He did, but the contact person said the dog wasn’t his.

This lucky dog, who’s been named Elliot after the off-ramp where Kim saved him, has a new forever home — with his rescuers.

“We’ve got four dogs at home. We’re dog people,” Andrew told azfamily.com. “Our house is set up for dogs.” The couple had been planning to adopt a Pit Bull with three legs due to cancer, but will put that on hold until Elliot settles in to his new digs.

“He’s safe now and that’s all that matters,” Kim told azfamily.com.

Photo: azfamily 3TV CBS 5/Facebook

Farewell, My Sweet Leroy Brown from the Carson Pound

When my boyfriend Fred and I rescued a 6-month-old American Bulldog mix from a Carson, Calif., animal shelter back in October 2007, the staff had named him “Snorty” because he loved to snort like a pig when he was happy (or anywhere near a bowl of food).

Although we changed his name to Leroy Brown, he truly lived up to his shelter moniker and spent a good part of his lifetime snorting (not to mention snoring many decibels louder than a Harley engine). He was one of the happiest, sweetest…and adorably loudest dogs I’ve ever had.

Earlier this year, Leroy’s health began to fail, yet he didn’t let it get him down, and continued to snort as much as possible. Sadly, he took a turn for the worse this week, so Fred and I made the heartbreaking decision yesterday to end his suffering.

I kissed and scratched my sweet lovin’ brown dog’s ears — his very favorite spot to be scratched — as he took his final breath.

About 30 seconds after the veterinarian confirmed his heart had stopped beating, Leroy snorted.

The vet and I looked at each other in disbelief. We both believe it was a signal from Leroy. Wherever he’s slipped away to, he is very happy. I like to think he’s been reunited with his old girlfriend Sophie, and they’re having a whole lot of fun together up there in dog heaven.

When Leroy Met Sophie (2007)

As we drove home from the animal hospital, both Fred and I heard a loud, random dog bark. Sure, it probably came from a real, live dog, but we like to think this was also a sign.

And after I went to bed last night but was still wide awake, I saw a dog-sized shadow glide past the bedroom door. I thought it was our other dog, Ella, but it wasn’t. I really don’t believe in ghosts, but I’d like to think that it was Leroy’s spirit, letting me know that he’s now free of arthritis and his other health issues.

Here’s a video I made after we adopted Ella in 2010. As you can see, Leroy and Ella got along really well back then, but eventually they became “frenemies,” barely tolerating (and occasionally fighting) each other. But I know they cared about each other…I can tell that Ella is grieving now, just like Fred and me.

Rest in peace, sweet Leroy Brown. We love you so, so much.

Thanks to Flyer, Dog Park Regular Whose Owner Died Has a Loving New Home

A senior Rottweiler mix named Bandit used to enjoy fun times at a Thousand Oaks, Calif., dog park with his owner, Phil, known by other park regulars as “The Doctor.”

Sadly, Phil passed away at his home. Days later, police discovered him, with Bandit by his side, on Feb. 6. They took the 10-year-old dog to the County of Los Angeles – Agoura Animal Care Center.

When a kind-hearted dog park regular found out about Phil’s death and his senior dog’s situation — it’s a sad but true fact that older dogs have much more difficulty getting adopted and making it out of shelters alive — they posted a flyer on the dog park fence with Bandit’s photo and ID number. Amy Mandel took a photo of the flyer and posted it on Facebook, where it was shared over 4,800 times.

“Life is very different now and I am quite sad,” says “Bandit” in the flyer. “I get along with everyone and am an easy-going guy! Would you please allow me to live out my days in another home again?”

The flyer worked. Bandit has been adopted and, just as he wished, will live out his days with a family and their other rescue dog, Tarra. The Agoura Animal Care Center posted this happy update from Bandit’s new dog mom yesterday on its Facebook page:

“He is so sweet! He’s having a blast; what a personality. Once we got home, I took him and our little dog (Tarra- also a rescue) out back to go potty, and he was so happy he ran laps around the yard! I had no idea he had so much happy energy in him, then he and Tarra were running around all over the house and yard. Tarra really misses her brothers – my dogs that passed. Tarra is so happy. They follow each other around and Bandit is like my little shadow. He LOVES my son DJ, and when husband got home he was licking him and following him around! He is a little love, so happy he’s with us.”

Congratulations to Bandit and many thanks to his adopters and everyone who helped ensure he found a forever home. The saying that it takes a village is really true, and in Bandit’s case the “village” was a dog park community.

Exit mobile version