A Routine Call That Became Something More

For Deputy James Gettings and Deputy Troy Glover, it was supposed to be just another ordinary day on the job. They were in the middle of serving civil process paperwork—one of the many routine tasks that quietly keep communities running. Nothing about that moment suggested heroism, urgency, or a life hanging in the balance.

Then they heard it.

A faint, desperate sound—soft, trembling, and unmistakably alive—cut through the stillness. It wasn’t loud, but it was persistent. The kind of sound that makes you stop walking. The kind that tells you something is wrong.

Without hesitation, the deputies followed the noise, unaware that it would lead them to a rescue that would forever change a small life—and their own.

A Shocking Discovery in an Abandoned Lot

The sound led them to an abandoned lot nearby, overgrown and forgotten. As they searched, their eyes finally locked onto the source: a tiny puppy trapped inside a septic drain. Only his head was visible above the opening. His fur was soaked. His body trembled uncontrollably.

The puppy was stuck, helpless, and clearly terrified.

In that moment, the deputies understood this was no longer just a police call—it was a race against time. The drain was cold and dangerous. The puppy’s small body had likely been trapped there for hours, maybe longer. Every minute mattered.

Acting Fast, with Care and Compassion

Rescuing a frightened animal is never simple. The puppy was panicked, unsure whether the approaching humans were help or danger. But Deputies Gettings and Glover moved with calm precision, knowing fear could make the situation worse.

Using a catch pole, they carefully positioned themselves to avoid causing further injury. The puppy resisted at first, crying and squirming, but the deputies spoke softly, reassuring him with steady voices. Slowly, patiently, they worked together.

Then, finally, they lifted him free.

The moment the puppy was pulled from the drain, his entire body became visible—small, muddy, and fragile. But he was alive. And that made all the difference.

From Survival to Safety

Once the puppy was out of danger, the deputies didn’t rush away. Instead, they focused on comfort. They cleaned him up as best they could, warming him, holding him, and letting him calm down. The fear in his eyes slowly softened, replaced by exhaustion and quiet trust.

Next came the responsible step: finding an owner.

The deputies went door to door in the surrounding neighborhood, asking residents if anyone recognized the puppy. But no one did. There were no collars, no microchip information, no signs that anyone was looking for him.

The reality became clear: the puppy was alone.

A Choice That Changed Everything

At that point, Deputy Gettings faced a decision many officers encounter—but not all respond to the same way. He could take the puppy to a shelter, hoping someone would eventually adopt him. Or he could do something more.

Looking at the small, shivering life he had just saved, Deputy Gettings felt something undeniable. He couldn’t let the puppy go through more uncertainty. He couldn’t walk away.

So he called his wife, Rachael.

Together with their daughter, Evelyn, the family made a compassionate choice: they would give this puppy a home. They named him Puddle—a gentle reminder of where his story began, and how far he had already come.

Healing, Love, and a New Life

Puddle’s journey didn’t end with rescue. A veterinary examination revealed injuries to his back legs, likely caused by being trapped in the drain. But now, instead of facing recovery alone, he had a family.

Surrounded by care, warmth, and patience, Puddle began to heal—not just physically, but emotionally. He learned what safety felt like. What kindness sounded like. What it meant to rest without fear.

Deputy Gettings later shared that Puddle quickly found joy in simple things—lounging around the house, soaking in affection, and enjoying the calm he had never known before.

Becoming Part of the Family

Puddle didn’t just find a home—he found a place where he truly belonged. He joined the Gettings family and their basset hound, Lacie, becoming a permanent member of a household built on love and responsibility.

This wasn’t just an adoption. It was a promise.

A promise that Puddle would never be abandoned again. A promise that his past would not define his future. A promise that kindness, once given, could change everything.

More Than a Rescue—A Reminder

Puddle’s story is about more than a puppy stuck in a drain. It’s about the quiet heroism that happens when people choose compassion over convenience. It’s about officers who see their duty not just as enforcing the law, but protecting life in all its forms.

Deputy Gettings and Deputy Glover didn’t have to stop. They didn’t have to investigate the sound. They didn’t have to take the extra steps after the rescue.

But they did.

And because of that, a life was saved—and transformed.

A Story of Hope and Second Chances

Today, Puddle is safe, loved, and home. His story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the smallest lives depend on someone noticing, someone caring, and someone choosing to act.

In a world often filled with heavy headlines, Puddle’s rescue shines as proof that kindness still exists—and that when duty calls, compassion can answer too.