Officer Kareem Garibaldi of the Lakeland, Florida Police Department was on duty when he was startled by a dog that rushed in front of his patrol cruiser. He took a sharp turn to the left to avoid colliding with the puppy, and as a result, he was able to get a good grip on the dog and bring the youngster back to his vehicle.
In spite of the fact that he had spent a few hours looking for the dog’s owner, he decided to finish his third shift of 12 hours by bringing the Pit Bull/Boxer mix puppy to the SPCA Florida Medical Center.
Garibaldi might have left at any time, but instead he did something that is warming the hearts of those who like dogs all across the world. Between the hours of 8:45 and noon, he watched after the dog. Officer Garibaldi and the dog were both tired while they were waiting for the veterinarian, so they did what any other drowsy pair would do in such a situation: they fell asleep together in the waiting area.
Because she was cuddled up so closely to the kind officer, the puppy had a sense that she was protected as she slept.
On its Facebook page, the Lakeland Police Department shared the following update: “Later that day, the dog found a new home.” Officers with big hearts like this one are what set the Lakeland Police Department apart from other departments around the country.
Officer Garibaldi, you have our gratitude for the time and effort you’ve put into rescuing and taking care of this adorable little dog.