ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A stray dog that was rescued from a pool by Orange County firefighters on Christmas Eve has now found a foster home with a group called FurEver Friendz.
Orange County Animal Services said that the foster home will pay for his medical care and try to have him adopted. If he is not adopted, he will likely live out the rest of his life in foster care.
The dog was originally called Earl, but now the rescue group is calling him Hooch. It told News 6 Hooch is settling into his new home nicely and loves the other dogs.
Hooch has an appointment with the vet next week. FurEver Friendz said he is malnourished, has an eye infection and major hair loss.
Hooch was trapped in a swimming pool and crying for help when a neighbor, who was not able to find the dog in the neighboring yard due to a high fence, called 911, prompting firefighters Marcia Fullilove and Dustin Sadis to respond.
The firefighters reached into the dirty, abandoned pool, where Earl had been treading water and barking for hours.
"He was in very poor shape, just hanging to the side of the pool," Fullilove said as the dog was rescued. "He was very pleased, wagged his tail right away."
Once back at Fire Station 72, the Hooch enjoyed a relaxing bath, holiday meal and water compliments of the C shift staff, according to a release. The dog was then taken to Orange County Animal Services.
"Every time we go out, it's a different experience," Sadis said. "Just think, it could have been a child that fell in that pool."
News 6 is told Hooch, who weighs close to 50 pounds and is believed to be approximately eight years old, is doing better and is fully recovered.
For more information, visit www.ocnetpets.com.