From rescued to rescuer: abandoned dog being trained for search and rescue

Over the last few days, the residents of Franklin, Indiana have noticed a German shepherd – Australian shepherd mix puppy wondering the streets of the city. Judging by the collar from her neck, it was clear she wasn’t a stray dog, though. Assuming someone abandoned her, a passerby approached the friendly dog and he immediately noticed she was carrying a message in a bottle attached to the collar

Image credits JOHNSON COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL via THE DODO

People who found the puppy reached Johnson County Animal Control and shortly after, Michael Delp arrived at the scene. It is when they learned the pup’s name was Roadie and according to the heartbreaking message from her collar, her owner had no other choice, but let her go as he lost his job. The pup was eventually taken to a shelter, where she waited for an adoption to come.

Image credits JOHNSON COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL via THE DODO

“When I read the note, [I felt] two emotions: one, if it is legit, my heart goes out to that individual,” Michael Delp explained for The Dodo. “If it was not legit, anger that someone would manufacture an excuse to abandon their dog that was designed to elicit sympathy.” It turned out the note was legit. “We were able to ascertain who the owner was and get that individual the help that was desperately needed,” Delp said.

Image credits JOHNSON COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL via THE DODO

But Roadie’s adventure doesn’t stop here. Waiting for some to adopt here, the staff at the shelter was surprised when the chief of the White River Township Fire Department called them to ask about the Roadie. Apparently chief Jeremy Pell was looking for a four-legged rescue officer to train and the German shepherd mix seemed the perfect choice. “I opened up the news and saw Roadie. I saw the breed and the story and the fact that she is literally in my backyard,” chief Pell said.

Image credits JEREMY PELL/ FACEBOOK

So he paid a short visit to the shelter and after a quick evaluation of Roadie, he adopted her straight away. Now the pup lives with Jeremy and she follows him everywhere, including the office. Actually, she even has a bed under her adoptive dad’s desk. Although she barely started the trainings, Jeremy is very confident she’ll make a great K9 officer.

Image credits JEREMY PELL/ FACEBOOK

“She’s bonded to me,” the Fire chief said. “She looks to me for guidance and acceptance and she tries to do her job. She thinks that she should bark at people she doesn’t know, but when I tell her that it’s OK … I get these soulful, caring eyes and it’s almost as if she’s apologizing. She will sit beautifully, look me in the eye, lay her ears down and very slowly lift her paw up to touch me.”

(Credits Facebook | THE DODO)

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