Serving as a police officer is never an easy job. Each day brings risks, unexpected situations, and challenges that require careful thinking and quick action.
The work is not only about enforcing the law or assisting people in danger. Sometimes, officers are called to rescue animals in critical situations. This story is one of those moments.
Weak Whines Lead Deputies To A Distressed Puppy
Deputies James Gettings and Troy Glover were delivering civil process paperwork to a residence in Fort Pierce, Florida.
As they were leaving, they heard a faint, distressed cry from nearby. The sound was urgent and demanded their attention.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, the deputies followed the noise to a septic drain on an abandoned lot.
When they looked closer, they were shocked. A tiny puppy, drenched and trembling, was stuck neck-deep in the collapsed drain. Only his head was visible above the water.
The officers reacted quickly. The frightened pup resisted when approached, but using a catch pole, they carefully lifted him from the dangerous pit.
Shaking and terrified, he needed immediate care and comfort.
The deputies gently bathed him several times until he relaxed slightly. It was clear that leaving him there was not an option. They had to ensure he was safe and plan for his future.
Deputy Gettings Makes A Life-Changing Decision
The deputies canvassed the neighborhood, hoping to locate his owner, but no one recognized the puppy.
At that moment, Gettings felt strongly that the pup should not be sent to a shelter. Acting on instinct, he decided to adopt the dog, convinced that it was the right choice.
After receiving treatment for injured back legs, the puppy, now named Puddle, finally had a safe home.
He was welcomed by Gettings’ wife, Rachael, their two-year-old daughter, Evelyn, and their basset hound, Lacie.
“He mostly likes to lounge around,” Gettings said in an interview. “He loves being home.”
Today, Puddle, the once-trapped puppy, has the love of a family and a secure, comfortable home where he belongs.
From a terrifying experience in a septic drain to the warmth of a forever home, his journey shows the power of compassion, quick action, and a family willing to give him the care he deserved.