Abandoned Puppy Gets New Home For Thanksgiving

TAMPA, FL - An abandoned puppy had reason to be especially grateful on this Thanksgiving holiday.

Around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a dog that had been abandoned at a north Tampa gas station.

Deputies said the year-old, 35-pound black and white Labrador retriever mix was crammed into a too-small dog crate and left next to the propane tank filling pump with no food or water. Deputies said it looked as if the puppy had been living in the crate.

It didn’t take long for word to spread through the sheriff’s office and reach the ears of sheriff’s pilot Manny Feller.

“I just couldn’t believe that someone would leave this dog to die,” said Feller. “Honestly, when I saw his picture, I just knew he had to be part of our family.”

Feller lives on a rural property in Dover with his wife, Dana, 6-year-old son, Manny, a 5-month-old baby and a Rhodesian ridgeback puppy named Otis. Feller said there’s plenty of room for another dog. And, since the Rhodesian ridgeback is named Otis, the deputies agreed the new puppy should be named Milo after the adventuresome pets featured in the Disney film.

“I called my wife, and she didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes,’” Feller said.

By 8 a.m., Feller and sheriff’s aviation mechanic James Watterson had given the puppy food, two bowls of water and a bath.

“He was a bit timid and nervous at first but he seemed to adjust quickly. He's very well-behaved, a really good dog,” said Feller. “I don’t understand why his owners would abandon him. Maybe he grew bigger than they expected.”

By the time Feller’s wife and children arrived to pick up the dog, Milo was over his shyness and eagerly wagged his tail upon meeting his new family.

“I knew it was a match made in heaven when my 6-year-old immediately took his leash and led him to the car,” Feller said.

Feller later called home to check on the new addition to the family.

“Otis was apprehensive at first,” he said. “He’s used to being the alpha dog. But he warmed up fast. I think they’re going to be good friends.”

Sheriff's pilot Manny Feller, left, and aviation mechanic James Watterson promptly fed and bathed Milo.

The puppy was discovered abandoned in a crate at a gas station.

Photos via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office