The deputies had all but departed from the call they had just been on when they heard the faint cries coming from an empty lot. Many people would have just ignored them, but not these guys.

James Gettings was one of the officers who found the little puppy struggling to stay afloat in a septic drain. He was scared and exhausted, nearly ready to give up when he was rescued.

They gave him several baths to get him smelling like a dog again, and then tried to find his family. But it seems there was none, and Gettings believed their meeting had to be fate.

So he took him home, and aptly named him Puddle. Now he is growing up very comfortably, and wants for absolutely nothing.

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“We were outside with my telescope, looking at Jupiter with my next door neighbor,” neighbor Chip Dover told TODAY Parents. “We were getting ready to come in when we heard a big explosion, and the house just blew up. We ran over there immediately and it was burning like crazy, and then we realized the family was still inside.”

Using furniture on the porch, they broke the front windows of the Longwood, Florida home belonging to military veterans Margo and Brent Feaser.

“One of the neighbors saw an occupant in one of the rooms and picked up a table and smashed through the window, all the windows acutally, and pulled the woman to safety,” Seminole Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma told News 13.

“The employee [Margo, an auto theft investigator], when she initially came out, her primary concern was to get back inside and rescue her children. She is an absolute trouper. She is a hero within our organization, and her actions tonight demonstrated that behavior.”

Firefighters arrived moments later and pulled Brent to safety.  But his four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter were still inside, along with Maxx.  The heroic dog led firefighters through the smothering smoke to the children’s bedroom.

All of the family members, including Maxx, were taken to various hospitals for treatment of their serious to critical conditions, but all are expected to recover.

“We are grateful to the neighbors who jumped into action, and we especially thank the firefighters who selflessly entered the burning structure and risked their lives for the Feaser family,” said Sheriff Don Eslinger.

“There is a long road of recovery and rebuilding ahead, but our Sheriff’s Office family will be with Margo and her family every step of the way. We know our community is behind them too, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support the family has received.”

A fundraiser has been set up to help the Feaser family cover their medical costs and find a new home.  If you would like to donate, please click here.

Checks and money orders may be made out to “Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Employee Benevolent Fund” and sent to 100 Bush Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773, attention: “Feaser Family Fund.” Anyone with questions is asked to call 407-665-6880.

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This morning, deputies responded to an Animal call in South District. A large Pit Bull was running around and neighbors were worried. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that this wonderful dog was just out looking for friends to play with. After sufficient play time and fun, deputies were able reunite the dog with his owners. A gate was accidentally left open and this beautiful dog was able to be taken back to his loving home.

This was one of the hundreds of comments on the photo post:

Ray Mcphatter Similar story, got a call in reference to a pit bull running loose. Got it came running to my patrol unit and put her paws inside my window. I rubbed her on the head and got a lot of slobber. Popped my trunk and got out to get my rope I keep for calls like this. Got my rope looked around and she was gone. Went to get back in the car and yep she was sitting in the driver’s seat. I put the rope on her and she walked me to her house.

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This plea comes from Samantha:

I’m a recovering addict and have always had dogs growing up. I got sober and was trying to cope with the extreme feelings of loneliness. I decided to rescue a dog while living in a sober living house.

I got Cudi from Palm Beach Animal Care and Control. They told me he was a stray, they weren’t sure how old he was and he didn’t take well to people. Shibas are very independent. I immediately fell in love with him.

I was able to rescue him and things have been going great. On Monday, I went down to my car to go to work, and my car had been broken into. My wallet was stolen which had every dollar I had to my name in it because I do not have a bank account.

I went to work, came home, my power was off, and Cudi was stumbling around, walking into walls – falling all over.  I couldn’t figure out if I should call FPL or a vet first.

We thought he might have had a seizure or stroke by his symptoms. I was able to bring him to a vet today and they said it was kidney failure. He won’t eat or drink. I have to bring him back to the vet every day for the next few days for IV fluids. Then he needs to be on meds as well, and special food. It’s a lot for someone who just had had their money stolen from them. Cudi means the world to me. I would go without food and everything else to make sure he is ok and has what he needs.

I don’t have the money to get him all the treatment he needs and it can’t wait. He needs it now. Especially now he won’t eat or drink. He’s so weak and can barely stand. I tried to make him his favorite, scrambled eggs, and he just takes his nose and pushes it away.

All he wants to do is sleep. He has no energy and I know he’s extremely dehydrated. It’s causing me physical pain knowing, at the moment, I can’t provide for him the way I should be able to because of the circumstances that someone felt the need to break into my car and take everything I had!

Anyone who knows me knows that Cudi is my whole world, my child, the love of my life, my everything. Anything helps. I’m so grateful for everyone who’s even taking the time to read this. Thank you so much.   – Samantha De New

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When the passenger door was opened, the impish little runaway hopped in and made herself right at home by curling up on the seat.  Maybe she’s always wanted to be a K-9, or at the very least, go on a ride-along.

While they waited for her owner to come collect her, she got to hang out with Officer Taylor as he wrote up a report.  It looks like they both had a marvelous time.

The photo, which was posted on the Facebook page of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, has received thousands of likes, shares, and comments.  These two comments really encapsulate the moment:

Larry Ackerman: Welcome to the brotherhood Officer Taylor. Enjoy every day, help who you can and never lose that smile. Be cautious and compassionate with everyone you contact. Go home every day and love your family. Congratulations!

Barbara West: The real test of a person of integrity.. When an animal trusts you and wants to spend time with you. Also the smile on this officers face.. Tells of his kindness and sense of humor.. Long life and happiness to you sir.

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Hewitt Grant II of Bartow, Florida had been found guilty of 84 counts of animal cruelty related to dog fighting earlier this month.  He was given 20 years in prison after violating a court order by Circuit Judge Wayne Durden stating that Grant could no longer have dogs.

All of this comes after Grant was found guilty back in 2007 on 80 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, again stemming from dog fighting.  He was given 364 days in jail, but in 2008 his lawyers found a way to weasel him out on a technicality pertaining to an illegal search of Grant’s property.

Even though the charges against him at the time were dropped, he was still slapped with a court order to never be “in possession” of a dog for the rest of his life.  An order Grant seemed too willing to violate.

Judge Durden said that Grant’s attitude and willingness to violate that court order is directly what gave him the 20 years in jail he’s now facing.

According to Judge Durden, “The defendant went out of his way to egregiously violate the injunction by his conduct in this case.”  He then went on to say that Grant’s actions of cruelty against helpless animals as reprehensible.  “This is based on evidence of what I saw of those dogs in this case,” said Judge Durden.  “Their scars on their heads, faces and bodies.”

Grant did testify on his own behalf, along with several other family members and his church leaders.  Grant begged for leniency, stating that he’d use it to fix his relationships with his family, especially his two children.

Pastor Michael Littlejohn, one of the ministers from Grant’s church spoke on his behalf at the trial sentencing.  He said, “”I couldn’t help but think of Michael Vick and all the potential he has.”

The prosecution called on many witnesses at the hearing.  They brought fourth persons from animal control and the local SPCA that were there when Grant’s property was raided.  They recounted both what they saw and how it made them feel back in October when the raid took place.

Donna Seiler, field supervisor with the sheriff’s office said, “”The name Hewitt Grant brings back bad memories I’d like to forget.”

Assistant State Attorney Carson Bassett said that Grant was tormenting these dogs for his own pleasure.

“The dogs didn’t ask for this and didn’t put themselves in this situation,” Bassett said before the sentence was handed down. “You can send a message to Hewitt Grant and all others involved in dog fighting.”

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Wednesday morning, volunteers with the Lost and Found Pets of Hillsborough County got a call about the unlikely duo meandering around Merrily Circle in Seffner.

When the rescuers tried to put the dog inside a truck, the pig began screaming.  It appeared that he did not want to be separated from his pal.

Owner Willie Landry came forward to claim them.  He said K 2 and Petey the pig grew up together, and escaped through a fence the day before.

Apparently Petey thinks he’s just one of the dogs.  There was a third dog back at home who was very morose without his other thirds.

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A woman was cited by police for leaving her dog locked up in her car, with windows barely cracked open, while she shopped for over an hour at a local Publix in Clermont, Florida.  An eyewitness reported her to the police that hot Monday afternoon, and not a moment too soon.  It would seem that the more we dog lovers call attention to this, the more state and local governments are starting to listen.

This particular incident took place after a witness noticed the dog in the car while driving past.  She got out and had been with the dog for over 20 minutes when she was informed that employees had seen the dog in the car even earlier than that.  It was almost at the 50 minute mark before police could make the scene.

Upon arrival, the police could see the eyewitness feeding the dog water through the barely opened window of the car.  Not long after the police showed up, the vehicle owner came out of the store to see what was going on.

Police informed her of the dangers of leaving a dog in a vehicle.  Something that most people with common sense already know.  Considering the amount of coverage this topic is getting, it’s hard to imagine anyone not knowing the dangers already.

After a good talking to by law enforcement, the vehicle owner was given an appearance ticket.  She’ll have to go before a judge, and faces potential misdemeanor charges and violations as well.  Let’s hope that more people see just how deadly and dangerous this practice is.  Also, the louder we dog lovers are about getting the laws either created or changed, the quicker it can happen.  This writer dreams of the day he doesn’t come across 3,000 stories a summer involving death and/or near death because someone left their dog in the car when it was too hot.

The post Woman in Florida Cited for Leaving a Dog in a Hot Car appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

For the last two years, Monica Alboniga has been trying to convince the Broward County School Board to allow her seven-year-old son to have his service dog with him at school.  The boy has cerebral palsy, and very much relies on his dog, Stevie.  Last week a judge ruled that Stevie should be allowed to attend.

With as many worries about their children that parents already have, none should have to worry about the safety of their child while at school.  In addition to cerebral palsy, Anthony Merchante has spastic paralysis, a seizure disorder, and he is unable to speak.  He uses a wheelchair to get around, and Stevie is often tethered to it.

Monica says Stevie “has saved Anthony’s life. I feel completely safe every time he is with the dog, because I know the dog will look for help.”

Stevie alerts people when Anthony has trouble breathing or is about to have a seizure.  He can lay himself across Anthony’s lap to support his head so his airway isn’t restricted.

“Stevie lets me know when he has seizures or problems breathing. He pushes me toward Anthony. He barks,” Monica said. “When Anthony is having convulsions, he starts barking and goes looking for us. Then he goes back to Anthony and stays with him.”

Despite this, school administrators continuously said the trained service dog did not belong in the school.  A lawsuit was filed, and fortunately, US District Judge Beth Bloom is of a different opinion that the school.  She ruled that Stevie should be allowed to attend Nob Hill Elementary with Anthony.

“The district has always permitted the service dog at the school,” said the district’s spokeswoman, Tracy Clark. Alboniga “pursued the lawsuit as the parties [the district and the plaintiff] differ somewhat in the interpretation of the federal regulations governing service animals. The district’s legal department is reviewing and analyzing the order.”

When Monica submitted a formal request for Stevie to accompany Anthony in July of 2013, the school board demanded that Stevie must have a number of vaccinations that dogs are rarely given, and that Monica pay for Stevie to have a handler.

Her attorney, Matthew Dietz, called the rider “an impossible barrier” that violated federal civil rights laws.

“The fact that the judge said the school board’s rules made no sense vindicates this woman’s belief that what she was doing for her son was the right thing,” he said.

For the first four months that Anthony attended kindergarten, his mother worked as Stevie’s handler.  Later, a custodian was appointed the task of walking Stevie outside and making sure other children didn’t interfere with his responsibilities.

“While at school,” Judge Bloom wrote, “Stevie does not eat or drink. Nor does Stevie defecate or make stains, or require cleaning or exercise.”

But administrators repeatedly claimed that it was not the district’s job to help Anthony keep Stevie at school.  However, someone at the US Justice Department said the board “fundamentally misunderstands” ADA regulations, which state that “public entities generally must permit individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals.”

The board argued that Stevie’s presence wasn’t necessary, as there were staff trained to perform the same tasks, and that the district shouldn’t have to pay for a dog handler.

“Congress specifically intended that individuals with disabilities not be separated from their service animals, even in schools,” the DOJ wrote.

Judge Bloom ruled that it was reasonable to expect the district to allow Stevie on campus “in the same way a school would assist a non-disabled child to use the restroom, or assist a diabetic child with her insulin pump, or assist a physically disabled child employ her motorized wheelchair.”

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He left the Army earlier this year, and when he got his own place, he started to think about getting another dog. He turned to his local animal shelter, the Flagler Humane Society. On their website, he saw Bones.

“Her face was there,” he said. “It just popped right up.”

His ex had given up the 6-year-old dog in September, signing off that she could no longer be responsible for Bones, Flagler Humane Society executive director Amy Carotenuto said.

“I don’t know why you would give up a dog like Bones,” she said.

Bones became a favorite among the shelter staff, spending time in their administrative area. She was well-trained and quiet inside, and also loved to play Frisbee, Carotenuto said.

“She obviously was well cared for,” she said.

After seeing her on the site, Russo arrived at the shelter thinking that his former pet wouldn’t remember him. In the four years he had been in the military, he had only seen her briefly a couple times while he was on leave.

Bones started barking when she saw him, and running around. He dropped to his knees, and she jumped up, putting her paws on his shoulders like a hug, Russo said.

“Just pure joy,” he said.

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