For animal rescuers, the work goes far beyond routine tasks. It’s a calling that requires courage, compassion, and the willingness to face danger head-on.
That’s exactly how the Jacksonville ACPS team in Florida approached their work. So when they received an urgent report about a Pit Bull stranded on the edge of Myrtle Avenue bridge, they didn’t hesitate.
But what awaited them was far more intense than they had imagined.
A Life Hanging By Inches
When officers arrived, they immediately saw the gravity of the situation. The dog had been trapped on the narrow ledge of the bridge for over twelve hours, just inches from a lethal fall.
There was only one way to save her: carefully secure her with a leash and lift her by hand. But her reaction was unpredictable, and the risk was enormous.
Her body language said it all. She wasn’t just frightened, she was paralyzed by fear. With traffic roaring past and strong winds rattling the bridge, the entire structure trembled beneath them.
Officer Cooper and two fellow officers knew they had to proceed with extreme caution.
“I had to take a few breaths. I knew this was a very dangerous situation. The wind was blowing the bridge, every car that passed by, you could feel the bumps,” Kyle told The Dodo.
They began speaking softly to the dog, inching closer with care. Miraculously, she didn’t bolt or resist. She remained frozen, as if she sensed they were there to help.
Cooper gently slipped a leash around her neck and secured her muzzle. Another officer used a catch pole, and together, they lifted her to safety.
“The officers were able to rescue this terrified dog in an incredibly humane, gentle way, getting her to safety as quickly as possible,” Jacksonville ACPS shared on social media.
They named her Myrtle, after the bridge where she had clung to life. Now safe in their care, she slowly began to relax and adjust to her new environment.
As the days passed, Myrtle’s true personality emerged. She became affectionate and playful, flopping onto her back for belly rubs the moment someone approached.
Even after being diagnosed with heartworms, her joyful spirit never dimmed.
A New Beginning For Myrtle
Myrtle’s gentle nature quickly captured hearts. Before the shelter could even share much about her, a loving family reached out, eager to welcome her home.
“It didn’t take long until she won the hearts of her AMAZING new family. They’re not only welcoming her into their home (at whatever pace she needs), but will be giving her extra TLC as she undergoes heartworm treatment,” the shelter wrote.
Today, Myrtle is thriving. She’s embraced each day with the same courage she showed on that bridge, surrounded by love, comfort, and the family she always deserved.