On Saturday morning, Officer Kareem Garibaldi was on a 12-hour shift when he came across a Pit Bull/Boxer mix puppy walking the streets by herself.
When the officer spotted the tiny pup wasn’t wearing a collar, he went over to her and grabbed her up. Because he couldn’t find her owner, Garibaldi kept the puppy at the Lakeland Police Department station and later took her home with him to figure out what to do next.
The officer had to work another 12-hour shift the next day, and while he tried to identify the dog’s owner, he had no luck. So Garibaldi went to the SPCA Florida the next morning, where they were similarly unable to identify the owner but spent some time checking the pup and her health.
The officer remained for a few hours at the clinic while the assessment took place, determined to assure the puppy’s health and safety. Connie Johnson, the shelter manager, arrived on her shift at that time and was moved by the picture of officer Garibaldi and the dog sleeping side by side while they waited.
Johnson stated that it was instantly clear how attentive and sensitive this officer was. He even awoke once to check on the pup and make sure she was all well as she dozed off by his side.
The results eventually came back, confirming that, save from a few mites, the pup was in terrific health. Officer Garibaldi named the puppy Hope after the checkup and brought her back to the station, where a dispatcher fell in love with her.
Hope was adopted on the same day and is currently happy in her new forever home. Officer Garibaldi’s act of goodwill is not going ignored.
