“Their little daughter grabbed his leash …”

Published on Dec 5, 2024 at 2:50 PM

When Balto first arrived at Austin Animal Center, he had a nasty wound to his left eye that was causing him a lot of pain. He clearly needed special care, so Austin Pets Alive! quickly stepped up to help him. It was touch and go for a bit, but they were able to save his eye and get him on the road to recovery.

Even though his physical wounds healed, his emotional ones needed more time. After everything he’d been through, Balto developed separation anxiety and was struggling in the shelter environment.

“He spent about eight months in the shelter,” Luis Sanchez, director of public relations and communications at Austin Pets Alive!, told The Dodo. “He was lovable, energetic and often overlooked simply because he was a husky with separation anxiety. After a short-lived sleepover stay, he ended up back at the shelter, where he was incredibly stressed and trying to chew out of his kennel. I called my wife and told her that I would probably show up with a dog later that day.”

Sanchez began fostering Balto in the hopes of helping him relax and get one step closer to finding his forever home. He and his wife took Balto everywhere, from breweries to adoption events, and posted all over social media singing Balto’s praises. Finally, his forever family found him — including his new sister.

husky and new family — Austin Pets Alive!

“A family from New Braunfels emailed saying they wanted a husky that was good with kids,” Sanchez said. “A few days later, I drove an hour out of town to visit the family’s home, and they fell in love. It was the cutest thing when their little daughter grabbed his leash and started giving him a tour of their home, saying, ‘This is my room; this is my parents’ room.’”

husky with little girl — Austin Pets Alive!

Balto seemed immediately relaxed around his new family, especially his new tiny human, and the day they made the adoption official, everything just felt right.

Now, Balto is thriving in his new home and loves being by his sister’s side whenever he can. He waited so long for his happy ending — and thankfully, it was worth the wait.

If you’d like to help other pets in need, you can donate to Austin Pets Alive!.

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State Trooper Wades Into Rising Flood Waters To Save Someone Left Behind

“Do NOT do this to your pets, please …”

By Ashley Ortiz

While people in Tampa, Florida, rushed to evacuate the city ahead of Hurricane Milton, one helpless resident was seemingly left behind to fend for himself. Stuck just off the shoulder of the highway, the poor guy desperately hoped someone would stop to help.

Unlike the people driving out of Tampa in their cars, the white bull terrier-mix was tied to a fence and unable to escape the rising flood waters. As the impending storm was intensifying, someone found him just in time.

“[Florida Highway Patrol] troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75, near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa (FHP Tampa) wrote on X. “Do NOT do this to your pets, please …”

You can watch the moment he was discovered here:

The pup was immediately defensive and wouldn’t let the trooper get near. But the trooper refused to leave and eventually won him over by speaking to him gently.

“It’s OK,” the trooper said to the growling pup. “I don’t blame you. It’s OK, buddy.”

The trooper eventually waded into the flood waters, now up to the pup’s chest, untied him from the fence, loaded him into his patrol car and drove him straight to the vet.

“The dog rescued by [FHP Tampa] is safe and receiving care,” Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) wrote on X. “Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health.”

The troopers were relieved to learn that the pup was OK. While they continue searching for a loving home for the pup while helping residents evacuate, first responders urge the public to think twice about leaving their pets behind.

“Remember your pets if you are evacuating,” FLHSMV wrote on X. “Visit [Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website] for information on lodging options with Pet Policies for Hurricane Milton Evacuees.”