The world is going through a lot right now and many of us have been pushed against the wall.
One of the many hot topics is about police.
Truth be told, the issue is alarming but then again, we can’t always generalize the entirety of the police force, or any group, for that matter.
There are still plenty of LEOs (law enforcement officers) out there who are true to their sworn duty to serve and to protect.
Little do we know, they take that to heart for everyone. Even dogs.
Officer Kareem Garibaldi of the Lakeland Police Department was patrolling in his early morning shift when he stumbled upon a rescue operation.
He almost hit a tiny pitbull-boxer mix only 8 – 10 weeks old.
The pup was running loose around the neighborhood with no collar or dog tag to identify itself or its owners. Officer Garibaldi then decided to bring the wandering pup to Lakeland Police Department.
He gave the lost pup food and a temporary place to stay for the night. Officer Garibaldi then took charge of finding the pup’s real owners.
He brought the lost pup home at the end of his Saturday shift.
The next day, he took pictures of the pup and posted them on social media sites. He also went back to the neighborhood where he found the little pooch.
He was hoping that he’d find its owners but was met with disappointment when he found none.
He really wanted the pup to be reunited with its rightful owners and he didn’t stop looking for them. He didn’t mind even if the search was costing him a lot of time and energy.
On the third day of his 12-hour shift, officer Garibaldi brought the pup to the SPCA Florida to be checked by a vet.
It’s definitely not his job as an officer, but he’s too kindhearted.
He couldn’t resist helping the lost pup. This police officer was not just simply looking for the pup’s owners but also taking good care of it at the same time.
While they’re at the clinic, Connie Johnson, the shelter’s safety net manager stumbled upon the two and snapped a sweet, candid photo of them that went viral. On a Facebook post she wrote:
“I could not resist taking this picture when I walked into the clinic at SPCA Florida this morning. Officer Kareem totally went out of his way after working all night to make sure this puppy was safe and sound. Thank you so much for all you do!! You are such an inspiration.”
He is an inspiration indeed. I mean, it’s normal for a police officer to help but to spend your personal time just to make sure a pup’s safe? It’s the stuff of movies, wouldn’t you agree?
Thankfully, his efforts were not put to waste.
Rewarded as it must be, officer Garibaldi’s hard work finally paid off when a dispatcher got to adopt the pup.
She now goes by the name Hope.
The best name for her after going through a lot, it’s all thanks to the kind officer, she’s now with her forever home and family.
For his efforts in saving the pup and making sure she was fine until she got adopted, officer Garibaldi was given the Hometown Hero Award by SPCA Florida and Rep. Dennis A. Ross.
Upon receiving the award, he said in his brief speech:
“With everything that is going on in the world, I just wanted to do one small, little thing, just to try and make it better.”
He truly deserves the award. We hope that not just police officers but more people would step up to help stray animals and give them forever homes, just like officer Garibaldi did for Hope.
See Officer Garibaldi being given the award below!
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Officer Garibaldi Receives Hometown Hero Award
“With everything that is going on in the world, I just wanted to do one small, little thing, just to try and make it better” – Officer GaribaldiTonight Officer Kareem Garibaldi was honored by SPCA Florida and Rep. Dennis A. Ross with the Hometown Hero Award for showing compassion and saving a little puppy named Hope. Well deserved sir… well deserved.Florida LEO and Fire/EMS Wives Central Florida LEO Wives Florida Police Officers and Sheriff Deputies Good News About Cops Blue Alert US
Posted by LakelandPD on Monday, June 20, 2016
