8 Good News Stories: 'Tails' Of Purpose, Freedom, Second Chances

ACROSS AMERICA — After nine days of wandering the swampy Florida Everglades, a newly adopted dog was found this week, which meant he could finally be united with the family he almost didn’t get a chance to meet.

Theo, a brown-and-white mixed-breed dog, went missing after a transport van taking him to his new family in Alpha, New Jersey, crashed between Miami and Belle Glade.

Ashley Tirado, who adopted Theo, did everything she could think of to find the pup. She reached out to rescue organizations, whose employees then created a Facebook group to coordinate a search for Theo.

The animal rescue organizations involved with Theo's eventual rescue were Paw Patrol Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, Triple T Pet Finders of SWFL and MisFit ResQ of WPBFL.

"It was really a process. These women were my saving grace," Tirado said. "There were times that I thought about how he could have been dead by now. He could have been attacked or eaten, or maybe he was dehydrated and overheated, and these women were just my rocks, forcing me to stay positive. Most of the time, I was, but over the course of nine days, you can't always be." Read more by Tiffany Razzano for Miami Patch

Tirado is likely among millions of pet owners taking an extra moment this National Pet Month to hug and love on their furry (and not-so-furry) companions. While Theo’s month started on a high note, here at Patch we know at least a few more animals whose special month is off to a pretty swell start.

Not all these “tails” are about pets. Still, each one represents at least one animal’s story of purpose, resilience, freedom or hope.

The Second Act

In another part of Florida, a group of former circus elephants is getting a second chance at a wild life. Twelve Asian elephants, retired from the former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, are spending their remaining days wandering the 17,000-acre White Oak Conservation refuge. "It really is kind of karmic payback," said Michelle Gadd, who leads conservation efforts for the philanthropist couple who are building the expansive new home. "Elephants have brought joy to humans for so many years. For once, we can give something back." Read more by Beth Dalbey for Jacksonville Patch

Rare Lobster Spared

Only 1 in 30 million lobsters boast a unique calico coloring, yet one of these rare crustaceans was recently discovered at a Red Lobster restaurant in Manassas, Virginia. Employees at the restaurant knew Freckles was special, so they reached out to the company’s corporate office to see what could be done. Read more by Liam Griffin for Manassas Patch

A Fluffy Reprieve

Just across the St. Croix River from the Twin Cities is Eagle Eye Farm, home to a variety of adorable small farm animals. Included in the farm’s herd are 32 alpacas. Not only do these alpacas participate in shows — where they are judged partly based on their fleece and partly on their body conformation — they also provide local kids a hands-on opportunity to learn about animals and agriculture. Read more by Morgan Reddekopp for Woodbury, Minnesota, Patch

A Face For Fame

A New Jersey animal rescue group recently introduced Mr. Marbles to the world in a Facebook post featuring a photo of the adoptable tuxedo cat who looks as if he's possibly spent a few of his nine lives. Mr. Marbles was brought to Halfway Home Animal Rescue in New Jersey after he was likely hit by a car on the highway. Though he has a few congenital deformities, the loveable tuxedo kitty has a Grumpy Cat look, a face for Instagram fame, and a lot of love left to give. Read more by Megan VerHelst for Oakland, New Jersey, Patch

The Nose Knows

The Doctors Hospital of Sarasota in Florida has a furry addition to its team of medical professionals on the front line battling the coronavirus pandemic: a COVID-19-sniffing yellow Labrador retriever named Buffy. The sweet-tempered pup is a highly trained scent-detection dog who is not only amiable and smart, she also has a 95 percent accuracy rate in detecting changes in a person's immune system. Read more by Tiffany Razzano for Sarasota Patch

A Good Boy

Sonny, a lovable Labrador retriever who’s been a member of the Phoenix Fire Department for two years, breezed through his recertification course this week, ensuring his otherworldly snout is still up for the task of detecting propellants and other suspicious fire-starters. Robby Simpson, a fire investigator with the department, said Sonny is indeed a good boy in the truest sense. "When we're on scene, he can cut a fire investigator's time on scene by hours," Simpson said. Read more by Christopher Boan for Phoenix Patch

March Of The Ducklings

Ten ducklings took a special walk recently, marking the 20th time a group of babies followed their mama through the halls of a Minnesota elementary school. The ritual is one of symbolism, done to honor Eisenhower Elementary School sixth graders as they graduate and get ready to transition to middle school. The tradition even inspired a parent to write a children's book about it. It is "really a metaphor for what the school is doing to prepare the kids for where they're going next," author Brad Gilmore told a Minnesota television station. Read more by Tim Moran for Hopkins, Minnesota, Patch