Life With Dogs

Thursday, 4 August 2022

Lady Gaga’s Dog Theft Suspect Recaptured After Intense 4-Month Search

It has been over a year and a half since a group of suspects shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker while targeting her three French Bulldogs: Koji, Gustav, and Miss Asia. They got away with two of the dogs, not realizing they belonged to a celebrity. One person involved with the incident tried returning the dogs for the reward money, but that helped police locate the suspects.

Five people were arrested for the dog theft. The charges varied based on each person’s role. James Howard Jackson, Jaylin White, and Lafayette Whaley were most heavily charged because they were the suspects that approached the victim, Ryan Fischer.

Released and Recaptured

Jackson was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting Fischer. Fischer suffered from a collapsed lung and spent months in the hospital recovering. Even though he was in severe pain, he couldn’t stop worrying about the dogs.

Once the five suspects were captured, everything seemed to be handled, but then, in April 2022, Jackson was accidentally released. The system had replaced the case with a new one, and somehow, that showed Jackson’s charges as dismissed due to a “clerical error.” Jackson was on the lam by the time officials realized their mistake.

Jackson disappeared for four months, despite a multi-agency manhunt looking for him. Officials emphasized that he was likely “armed and dangerous.” The U.S. Marshals Service later announced a $5,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the suspect’s capture.

After the reward money announcement, it took less than two weeks for the police to find Jackson. The sheriff’s department didn’t share details of how he was recaptured, but instead, they just said he was “apprehended without incident.”

Another Suspect Sentenced

While Jackson’s search was concluding, another suspect received a sentence. White will serve four years in prison after pleading “no contest” to a count of second-degree robbery. He also confirmed that someone in the group was armed during the incident.

The sentences for the other suspects haven’t been shared yet, including Jackson’s fate. Jackson pleaded “not guilty” to his charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a robbery, and assault with a firearm. It’s unclear when more details about his punishment will be announced.

Now, dog lovers can relax knowing that this dangerous dognapper is no longer on the loose. Lady Gaga’s dogs and dog walker went through a lot because of these suspects, so hopefully, no one else will have to go through a situation like this. However, dog thefts are still on the rise, so be extra cautious to keep your canines safe.

Featured Image: Facebook and Instagram

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Wednesday, 3 August 2022

Brave Police K9 Fights For His Life After Getting Shot Three Times

Police K9s work hard at their jobs, and sometimes, they put their own lives at risk to stay loyal to their teammates. K9 Huk is a brave member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) who recently needed emergency vet care.

K9 Huk was just doing his job when he was shot by a suspect three times, so the community is calling him a hero. After over a week of recovery, things are looking positive for Huk. His human co-workers believe Huk’s training and quick thinking helped save his life.

A Near-Death Experience

Huk has helped the JSO’s SWAT team with many dangerous tasks, including taking down a murder suspect and an armed hostage taker. The strong pup was unstoppable until a recent situation left him in critical condition.

Officers released Huk during a confrontation with three armed suspects after a car crash and a shootout near the Jacksonville Zoo. One of the suspects shot at Huk and hit him with three bullets. As soon as the suspect fired their gun at the dog, Jacksonville officers fired at the suspect.

RELATED: Police K9 Gets Leg Amputated After Protecting Officers From Bullets

Two of the suspects died, but their cause of death isn’t confirmed. The third surrendered and had to be sent to the hospital. They were later charged with the possession of methamphetamines. It’s unclear if the suspect that survived is the one who shot Huk.

Huk had severe wounds and had to be airlifted to the First Coast Veterinary Emergency for surgery.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the officers on scene and that, you know, they provided a great, a great service to Huk — and all the support staff from aviation all the way down to the veterinarian office that is taking care of him,” said Matthew Casey, a police trainer.

Huk’s Road to Recovery

Huk was stable after his surgery, but he had a long way to go after that. He had orthopedic injuries and soft tissue injuries in several areas of his body. He went through several additional surgeries after further examination. Now, he’s on pain medications while he relaxes and gains his strength back. He’s used to protecting others, but now it’s his turn to be cared for.

First Coast Veterinary Emergency is keeping followers up to date on Huk’s condition. He is not happy about the “cone of shame,” but he’s making a lot of progress. The staff members have been giving him lots of love, affection, and fresh air to help lift his spirits.

“In the wee hours of the night, Huk cozied up to one of our nurses and slipped in a kiss!” First Coast Veterinary Emergency wrote in an update. “The nurses and doctors at First Coast Vet are known to give more than just medical care to their patients. They give them security and make them feel at home. They take time out of their busy day and night to snuggle them!”

Huk will continue taking as much time as he needs to recover. Luckily, he has many people supporting him and giving him love. Despite everything he has gone through, he’s in good spirits.

Featured Image: Facebook

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Once Unrecognizable Due To Severe Neglect, Moses Now Has People Lining Up To Adopt Him

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK. For nearly 200 years, this organization has dedicated itself to stomping out animal cruelty and rescuing those in need.

This summer, the RSPCA launched the “Cancel Out Cruelty” movement:

“Each year animal cruelty reaches its terrible annual peak in the summer months,” reports the RSPCA. “When an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day.”

The RSPCA has made it their mission to cancel out animal cruelty in the UK for good. And there are many animals whose lives have already been saved as a result of this movement.

One such animal is Moses, a nine-and-a-half-year-old Shih-Tzu who experienced horrendous neglect.

An Unfortunate Series of Events

The RSPCA rescue team first learned of Moses thanks to a report from a Good Samaritan. This person had seen Moses wandering the streets and became concerned for his welfare.

When members of the RSPCA saw Moses for the first time, those concerns became abhorrently clear.

Moses’ fur was so severely matted that rescuers were initially unsure of his actual size, weight, or breed. His coat, which inspector Pamela Bird described as a “hardened shell,” was soaked in urine and feces. The smell was incredibly foul.

The amount of neglect that Moses had experienced was rage-inducing. However, while Moses was not well cared for, he had certainly been well loved:

“It became clear that Moses had been part of the family for a long time, but his owner was trying to deal with significant health issues, and things had become too much for him to cope with,” said Bird. “As a result, Moses had not been receiving anything like the quality of care he should have, but his owner did the right thing by signing him over to us so we could get him the treatment he desperately needed.”

One of the Worst Cases of Matting Ever Seen

Once Moses had officially been relinquished, the first priority was to rid him of his matted fur. Medical personnel carefully sedated Moses and began shaving.

The matting itself weighed over one-and-a-half POUNDS, and the skin underneath was severely irritated.

The veterinarian who oversaw this procedure stated that Moses’ matting had been forming for some time.

“The scale of what we were dealing with became apparent once the veterinary team had started work on Moses’ coat,” said Bird. “It was caked in urine and feces and smelt awful. We all became more and more shocked by what we were seeing and the realisation at what this poor little dog had endured.”

Moses’ tail was so matted that it stuck out at a right angle from his body, unable to wag freely. Underneath the coat, caretakers also uncovered several painful patches of skin.

They suspected the mats had been pinching his fur, which must have been seriously uncomfortable.

“It’s one of the worst cases of matting I’ve ever seen,” said Bird. “But despite this hardened shell of foul-smelling fur which he was carrying around… Moses was one of the most lovely-natured dogs you could ever meet.”

A Fresh Start

Moses was, at first, apprehensive of physical touch. His actual skin hadn’t been touched in years, and the ability to feel pets, hugs, and kisses was a big adjustment.

However, once free of his fur-clad prison, Moses became a totally different dog:

“It’s taken Moses a little while to get used to having so little fur,” said caretaker Lucy Belle. “But now he realises he can finally move around properly without his coat weighing him down, he’s getting happier and happier every day and we all think he’s so handsome.”

Once his fur was no longer an issue, Moses received treatment for anemia. This condition of red blood cell depletion is commonly caused by flea infestation. He is also receiving frequent medicated baths to soothe his skin.

Moses has now been deemed sufficiently healthy and transferred to the adoption center. There he remains, today, awaiting a forever home.

Despite his traumatic history, Moses’ caretakers have no doubt that he will make someone the perfect companion:

“…we’re really beginning to see his playful side come out, despite the fact he’s a little more mature in years,” said Bell. “It’s been a team effort to get him to where he is now, and we’re so pleased that we’ve been able to help give him this second chance as we think he’s going to make someone a wonderful, loving pet.”

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Stolen German Shepherd Returns Home After 4 Years And 600 Miles

In January 2018, a German Shepherd puppy was stolen outside her home in Baytown, Texas. She loved everyone she met, so she didn’t resist when strangers welcomed her into their vehicle. The stolen pup’s family searched for weeks with no sightings and slowly gave up hope.

But the weeks turned into months, and then years. It got to the point where the family thought they’d never see their dog again. But then, they got a phone call that changed everything. A shelter 600 miles away claimed to have the missing German Shepherd in their care, despite being almost five years later.

Family with lost German Shepherd — YouTube

Beloved Puppy Hops In Wrong Car

The German Shepherd named Sheba was less than a year old when she vanished. Her humans adored her friendly nature and easygoing temperament, and she was a best friend to their three-year-old daughter.

However, Sheba got outside while her family was eating dinner at their neighbor’s house. That one moment changed everything. Security footage showed a white truck slowly approaching the house, and Sheba rushed over to greet them. The puppy hopped in the car without hesitation, not realizing she was in danger. The vehicle drove off with Sheba inside.

Stephanie Malmstrom, Sheba’s owner, marked the dog’s microchip as missing and began searching frantically. She made posters and even created a Facebook page to share updates. She pleaded for help, but no one had any sightings.

“We won’t ask any questions or pursue anything. Just take her to a humane shelter, where she can be scanned for her microchip, or drop her off in the neighborhood and she’ll find her way home,” Malmstrom said.

An Unexpected Return

After almost five years of searching with no leads, the family had given up. So, when someone from animal control in Borger, Texas, contacted Malmstrom, she thought it was a prank. She joked that she thought they’d offer her a cruise and a million dollars too.

“We were searching for years, but after four and a half years of Sheba missing, I lost a little bit of hope,” Malmstrom said.

RELATED: 15 Strangers Help Stolen Dog Travel 2,000 Miles Home

But the animal control officer explained that they found Sheba wandering the streets, and she seemed too friendly to be a stray. They got Malmstrom’s information after scanning Sheba’s microchip. So, the family face-timed with Sheba to make sure it was really her. Sure enough, the dog still responded to her name and some of the German commands the family taught her.

Yet, Borger is about 600 miles away from Sheba’s hometown. So, the family is working with non-profit Pilots N Paws, who will fly Sheba home. Sheba will return home in the next few days, so the family hopes she remembers them. She may be older now, but her family is excited to give her all the love she missed out on.

Featured Image: YouTube

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Monday, 1 August 2022

Delivery Driver Cautiously Approaches Porch Where Pit Bull Is Watching & Waiting

To a dog comfortably resting on his own porch in his own domain, the approaching delivery person can seem like a threat. That’s why there is some truth to the concept of dogs hating mailmen.

It’s a tough thing to avoid, which is why delivery drivers often have to be very cautious approaching homes where dogs are outside. Recently, a Ring camera captured an interaction between a delivery driver and a dog at the home he was delivering to. That footage is something you just have to see.

“Are You Friendly?”

Grace is a Pit Bull who lives in Missouri. One June day, she was sitting on her porch when an Amazon delivery driver named Eric arrived with a package. Grace’s mom Ashley shared the video their Ring camera captured that day on Instagram.

At first, Eric doesn’t notice Grace as he walks toward the front door. Then, startled, he says hello to the Pittie from a few feet away.

“Are you friendly? I feel like you’re not,” he says to her.

He continues to chat calmly with Grace without getting closer and even asks her permission to put down the box on the porch. The whole time Grace remains sitting, just watching him.

“I’m gonna set it for your mom right here, okay? Okay, can I go up here?”

Eric takes a few more tentative steps and sets the package on the end of the porch. Seeing Grace’s calm reaction, Eric gives a squeal of joy, introduces himself, and taps excitedly on the package. It’s almost like that’s all Grace needed.

She stands up and immediately starts gently wagging her tail. Based on her body language and soft approach, Eric realizes that Grace is a “friendly doggie.” And just like that, they’re pals!

“Winning people over one delivery at a time….Hi Eric, I’m Grace.” Ashley captioned the Instagram video.

Not only does this sweet footage defy the dog/delivery driver rivalry cliche, but it also shows that not all Pit Bulls are aggressive.

Watch the whole thing for yourself below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ashley Gore (@sweetashleeeeey)

RELATED: Ask A Vet: Why Does My Dog Hate The Mailman?

After Ashley’s video went viral, Eric himself actually commented on her Instagram post.

“howdy, listen your pup went viral ahhhhhh! 😍 she was such a sweetheart when I met her! 💙 can’t wait to go visit her again….”

It seems like Grace has her own special spot on the porch and hangs out there often, so who knows, maybe she and Eric will meet again.

Featured Image: Instagram

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Deaf “Miracle Dog” Returns To Devastated Family After A Year Lost In A Strange City

Rufus is an adorable five-year-old Blue Heeler. He was reunited with his family this week after spending nearly a year alone on the streets of Santa Fe. Rufus, who is completely deaf, escaped from his family home in early September 2021, and an entire community has been on the search for him since.

There were certainly those who feared that they would not find him alive. Rufus’ family had just moved to Santa Fe and had barely lived in the area one month when he ran away. What chance did a special needs dog have surviving on the streets of an unknown city?

Those fears were put to rest when, to everyone’s surprise, Rufus was spotted one day. On July 3rd of this year, a motorcyclist saw Rufus on the side of a busy road and sent his picture to Team Frijoles. This particular group, which specializes in lost pet recovery, had been on the search for Rufus since the very beginning.

Team Frijoles assisted Rufus’ family in handing out flyers and creating social media campaigns. They worked alongside the Martinez family for almost a year to bring Rufus home.

A Thoughtful Gift

Rufus was gifted to his owner, Marisa Martinez, after her daughter’s death. Her child succumbed to pediatric cancer at the age of nine — a devastating blow to the entire family. The person who gifted Rufus believed that he would bring the Martinezes peace and comfort, a job at which he excelled.

The pairing was ideal as Rufus is a special needs dog, and his owner is a special education teacher. They quickly became a bonded pair. Martinez even taught Rufus sign language to communicate!

This family’s history of loss made Rufus’ disappearance even more distressing. The loss of another family member was all but unbearable. The Martinez family searched tirelessly for months following his disappearance. They never gave up hope for his safe return. Still, they had no choice but to come to terms with a new kind of Rufus-less life.

A Miraculous Return

But then Rufus reappeared, an event which has since been called a one-of-a-kind miracle. While we don’t know where this brave pup was for the past year nor how he survived, we know that Rufus’s bravery and perseverance are unlike any other.

Once they had received Rufus’ photo from the Good Samaritan, Team Frijoles went to work. They set up a humane trap for Rufus, attempting to lure him in with food, and he took the bait. Team Frijoles was able to bring him out of the elements and into a safe place.

Rufus would spend the next several days at the shelter as his family was out of the country visiting relatives. However, a Zoom video call with the family and a microchip scan confirmed that this was, indeed, the missing Martinez dog. And his family was ECSTATIC.

An Emotional Reunion

When Rufus and his family were finally reunited, onlookers shed many tears. It was clear that they had not stopped thinking of one another for a single moment. Rufus was, at first, apprehensive when approaching his owner. After all, he had not seen her in nearly a year — how could he be sure this was really his mom?

Rufus’ nervous behavior changed instantly when Martinez used a hand signal to say hello. He sniffed her outstretched hand and became puppy-like in his greeting. He began rolling on the ground for belly rubs, snuggling into her arms, and giving her endless kisses. Martinez then loaded Rufus into the family car, ready to take him home.

Martinez knows in her heart that Rufus is a miracle dog. She hopes that their story will encourage others never to give up, no matter how hard things may seem:

“We want this to be a feel good story of a sweet dog with disabilities who is magical,” said Martinez. “Who had overcome the wilderness, being deaf, being a fighter, and helping a mommy in mourning.”

Featured Image: Santa Fe New Mexican

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Thursday, 28 July 2022

Heartbroken Dog Lost Half Her Muzzle To Gunshot, But She Still Found Love

A rescue dog named Nona has a traumatizing past, but she hasn’t let that ruin her optimistic spirit. A gunshot caused the Jack Russell Terrier/Retriever mix to lose half her muzzle, and she ended up in a shelter as she recovered.

After she was feeling better, Nona had a little trouble finding her forever home. She went through two adoptions that weren’t quite the right fit, so she was returned both times. Now, after several years, Nona is finally where she belongs, and she has put her heartbreaking past behind her.

Nona’s Horrific Injury

In 2018, someone shot the innocent dog with a gun, which led to her losing half her snout. An animal welfare group rescued her and helped her recover. They were surprised to see that Nona was a very happy dog even after experiencing so much pain. Once she was feeling her best, the shelter began the search for an adopter.

When Nona found a family, shelter staff members were overjoyed. The adopters loved Nona, and they cared for her for a while, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Some unexpected circumstances led to the family needing to rehome Nona.

The shelter that Nona came from was at capacity, so they asked the Kentucky Humane Society if they would take her in. Of course, the Kentucky Humane Society fell in love with Nona in a heartbeat and agreed to take her. They have lots of experience with dogs with rough pasts, and they’re most known for raising Ethan, the rescue dog.

Nona’s previous family had several cats, but she was fine with them after adjusting to her new home. The humane society also noted that she could be dog selective, so she needed to meet future dog siblings before getting adopted.

A New Life for Nona!

After the Kentucky Humane Society shared Nona’s story on social media, it didn’t take long for someone to show interest in her. A family adopted her, but sadly, it didn’t last long. She didn’t get along with the other pets in the home, so she was returned again. Then, she began looking for a home where she could be the only pet.

Since it was Nona’s third time looking for a family, she got a little discouraged. Even though she looks different than the other dogs, she has no special medical needs. However, the shelter admits that her injury causes her to snore loudly, but it’s part of her charm!

“Despite everything Nona has been through, she remains the happiest dog on the planet! She knows no strangers and greets people with a big tail wag and smile. She loves toys (anything that squeaks makes her very happy), running around outside, going for walks, and getting belly rubs,” the Kentucky Humane Society wrote.

The Kentucky Humane Society posted photos of Nona that were too cute to resist. So, she has now found a forever home where she can be the only animal. Hopefully, this is where she’s meant to be. She deserves a life of love and pampering after everything she has been through.