When all the horrific things happened in Tampa, Florida as Hurricane Milton approached, hoomans came together and began the preparations.
However, as they were instructed to evacuate their homes, many packed up their valuables and headed for the highway. But not everybody was able to do so.
A little white bull terrier-mix was standing by the road, watching all the cars zoom by. Unfortunately, he was not able to move a single inch because of the most heartbreaking reason.
The Bravest Rescue Yet
As the Florida Highway Patrol was making sure that everything went smoothly, one of them noticed a little head popping up in the tall grass. After realizing that it was a dog, the hooman began calling to the pup, hoping that he would run over to him.
But since the pup didn’t move, he found it very odd. Thinking that something was off, he decided to approach the dog. That was when he noticed that he was actually tied to the fence!
“[Florida Highway Patrol] troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75, near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets, please…” Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa (FHP Tampa) wrote on X.
FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please… pic.twitter.com/8cZJOfkJL2
— FHP Tampa (@FHPTampa) October 9, 2024
When he got near to him, the troopers noticed that the pup’s paws were already deep in the rising water. Not wanting to waste any time, he decided to get the sweet boy out immediately. However, that wasn’t as easy as they thought it was going to be.
Being abandoned by his owners and already submerged in the rising water, the pup didn’t really seem to trust hoomans anymore. He began growling and barking at the hooman, warning him to stay away.
But the determined trooper refused to leave him behind and figured out a way to help him.
Finally Safe
Knowing that he just needed some love and affection, the trooper began speaking to the pup in a calm and sweet voice, reassuring him.
“It’s OK. I don’t blame you. It’s OK, buddy,” the trooper said to the growling pup.
The rescuer bravely stepped into the flood waters, which had risen up to the dog’s neck by then, and untied him from the fence. After loading him up into his patrol car, he rushed the pup to the vet for a much-needed check-up.
“The dog rescued by [FHP Tampa] is safe and receiving care. Troopers brought him to a vet, where he was examined for injuries and received a clean bill of health,” Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) wrote on X.
Luckily, he was deemed as fit as a fiddle and immediately put on the adoption list. While the trooper went back on the road to help the residents evacuate, the Florida Highway Control reminded people that pets should not be left behind.
“Remember your pets if you are evacuating. Visit [Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website] for information on lodging options with Pet Policies for Hurricane Milton Evacuees,” FLHSMV wrote on X.