I have watched this Texas story a few times since May 20, 2026. It stirs up emotions every time. In September , will be the two year anniversary of me sending my dog, plagued with Cancer to the Rainbow Bridge. I can not imagine the desperation this Veteran felt, BUT the story ends Great for both. The link to the story here.
Or Read the Story ⤵️
TEXAS, USA — Firefighters at a Texas fire station walked outside Saturday morning to find a dog tied to the flagpole outside the station.
“There was a note on him, and that was Jake,” said firefighter Jeremy Goad.Fort Worth Fire Station 8, like most fire stations, is designated as a “safe place” for mothers in crisis to surrender newborns.
In the note, the dog’s owner, identified only as Tom, said he was a 65-year-old homeless veteran who had been living on the streets for 20 months. His landlord would not renew his lease, so he set up camp in Fort Worth along with his beloved dog, Jake. He wrote that he wanted a better life for Jake and didn’t know what else to do.
“I have nothing but my baby Jake,” the note said. “If you have a soul and really care about helping babies, please help my baby.”
The firefighters took Jake in and adopted him as the station dog.
“It’s great. He’s being showered with love,” Goad said. “Definitely a boost in morale. Everybody just loves having him.”
After learning about the note, Fort Worth’s homeless outreach HOPE Team began searching for Tom. There are about 528 homeless camps they monitor, according to Sam Greif of the Fort Worth Fire Department HOPE Team.
The homeless population in the City of Fort Worth is estimated at more than 5,000. Formed in 2019, the Home Outreach Prevention and Education Team provides medical and mental help, drug and alcohol treatment, housing and job placement to homeless in the area.
The outreach team found Tom at his camp and took him for medical checkups Tuesday.
Operation Texas Strong, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans and people in crisis, then stepped in. The organization provided Tom with an RV and arranged for a space at an RV park in East Fort Worth, where he will be able to live.
“No veteran should ever be homeless anywhere in the United States,” said Bobby Crutsinger of Operation Texas Strong. “We’re not government funded, we’re privately funded. We’re not rich, but we’re blessed.”
Greif said Tom, who wants to remain anonymous to the public for now, was overwhelmed by the support he received after surrendering Jake.
“He is still extremely sad he had to give us his pup,” Greif said. “All in all, he is very overwhelmed and very blessed by the outpouring he is getting for help, and he’s trying to better himself.”
Tom is expected to move into his new home Wednesday, while Jake has settled into life at the fire station. Both were able to find homes because of the selfless act of a veteran and a community dedicated to help.
screenshots from the tv news ⤵️
