Too Cute: Cop, Rescue Puppy Caught Napping

LAKELAND, FL — When a Lakeland Police Officer almost ran over a stray puppy last weekend, his instincts to protect and serve must have kicked into high gear. Not only did he launch an exhaustive campaign to find the little critter’s owner, he took responsibility for her care until a good home could be found.

Officer Kareem Garibaldi first came into contact with the puppy, since named Hope, in the early morning hours Saturday. It seems he almost hit the little pup, who was running loose in a neighborhood. Finding no collar or tag on her, Garibaldi searched the neighborhood for her owner, the city of Lakeland reported on its Facebook page.

When no owner could be found, Garibaldi scooped Hope up and brought her back to the police department for food and shelter while he completed his shift. That night, Hope stayed with Garibaldi. The two returned to the police department the next day. Garibaldi posted shots of the pup on social media and returned again to the neighborhood where she was found to try and locate the owner.

After working a 12-hour shift on Monday, Garibaldi gave up his search for the pup’s owner. Instead, he took Hope to the SPCA in Lakeland, to be checked. The SPCA and city have both reported Garibaldi waited patiently from 8:45 a.m. until noon to make sure the 10-week-old pit bull/boxer mix pup received a clean bill of health.

At some point during the wait, Garibaldi, tuckered out from his third 12-hour shift in a row, took a cat nap in the reception room. Hope, it seems, thought that was a very good idea and followed in his footsteps. A photo of the two snoozing on the bench was shared by the city and SPCA on Facebook and has since gone viral.

“It’s the kind-hearted officers like this that makes the Lakeland Police Department truly unique,” the city's post reads. “Having worked a long weekend, Officer Garibaldi still found the energy at the end of his shift to help man’s best friend.”

Hope, who was named that after her rescue by Garibaldi, has been adopted. Reportedly, she now lives with another Lakeland Police Officer.

Photo courtesy of the SPCA