An Australian shepherd-border collie mix named Ruby is definitely a mischievous pup. Five families already tried adopting her but they all had no choice but to return her because she was just so rambunctious. And so, Ruby finally ended up staying at the Rhode Island animal shelter where she met shelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman.
When Patricia was asked to describe Ruby, she shared how Ruby was a total knucklehead. She jumped and bit her leash all the time and she couldn’t and wouldn’t stay still no matter what the situation was. And that rambunctious personality of hers was why she was being considered to be put down.
But Patricia knew that Ruby was just special and she just needed someone who would understand her.
And so Patricia intervened and got Ruby off the list of dogs to be put down. Long story short, Patricia gave Ruby a second chance in life. And it was all worthwhile because Ruby soon found the special person she needed in life in Cpl. Daniel O’Neil.
Cpl. Daniel O’Neil, at the time, was looking for a search and rescue dog. And O’Neil instantly became taken eight-month-old Ruby’s energy and intelligence because he identified with her as someone who is dyslexic and hyperactive. And then after Patricia vouched for Ruby, she then immediately started her training as a police K-9.
O’Neil knew that adopting an unmanageable shelter dog was a gamble especially since police dogs are typically bred to do the job and are even trained from birth. But Ruby did not let him down and with her determination and focus, she graduated at the top of her class.
Then when Ruby started her official duty as a police dog, she again proved that she was capable and reliable. In one case, a teenage boy got lost for 36 hours during a hike and a human search party was launched. Unfortunately, they were not able to find the boy but Ruby swooped in and found him unconscious and in grave medical condition.
But thanks to Ruby finding the boy in time, he was saved.
And in a twist of fate, the boy who Ruby saved turned out to be Patricia’s son. Patricia was so grateful to Ruby and overwhelmed with how things had fallen into place for her son’s rescue to happen the way it did. Ruby needed a second chance and Patricia gave that to her by standing up for her and Ruby paid it back by bringing her son back.
Source: Action News Jax
