Dog rescued from Bay

[hermetic]

Early Thursday morning, fishermen in Tampa Bay spotted a dog treading water 2 miles offshore. They pulled the pup from the water and took it back to Demens Landing where a couple of residents took care of her overnight then took her to a nearby pet hospital.

The dog has a microchip but the phone number didn't work and hospital staff then discovered that she'd been reported missing years ago. Nobody knows where she's been all this time but she seems well-groomed and cared for. "She is just so well trained and obedient."

Efforts so far to find the previous owner have still been unsuccessful, but a new owner has stepped up. Kathy Klein had read about the rescue and decided to purchase some supplies to donate for the dog. When they met, an instant bond was formed. So she brought the dog to her home.

She had taken Baby to the vet first thing, where the doctor told her the dog was a "rugged little girl."

"He said both back legs were weak, probably from treading water for so long," she said. But she was healthy otherwise. She'll occupy the household with two other dogs the Kleins own.

She has already ordered a new collar for the dog — a pink and blue one with nautical flags and anchors. And Baby has been renamed with a moniker suggested by Johnson. Because "There but for the grace of God, she wouldn't be here," Johnson had told Klein, "I'd name her Grace and call her Gracie."

So Baby became Gracie.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/dog-found-in-tampa-bay-has-new-owner-new-name/2159812