A snowstorm in New York can be quite severe and frightening for everyone, particularly for those vulnerable animals stranded on the streets.
Without adequate shelter, nourishment, and attention, many, sadly, fail to survive the winter.
Fortunately for a little black-and-white-spotted puppy – now named Paddy – this was not her fate. Not only did she endure the snowstorm, but she also found her forever home of her dreams.
Paddy’s Rescue Narrative
In January 2024, the city of Hamburg, New York, experienced two consecutive lake-effect snowstorms with snowfall rates exceeding 3 inches per hour and plummeting temperatures.
The mother of a Hamburg Police Department officer discovered Paddy outside during the snowstorm. Little Paddy was cold, and her neck showed signs of distress from exposure to the frigid conditions.
Thus, she brought her to the police precinct, which is recognized for caring for lost and neglected animals.
“I didn’t want to take her to the shelter. I assumed that the owner would come forward. We typically share these situations on social media, and the owner usually claims them very quickly,” Lieutenant John Baker informed WKBW TV.
However, no one stepped forward to claim this lovely little girl, and the officers began to contemplate their options.
“We frequently take in stray dogs. We often comment, ‘Oh, this is the new station house dog,’ and then it quickly transitions to the owner who claims it. It was something we had been discussing for a while, and when she arrived here, the joke evolved into, ‘No, this is serious, and she’s going to stay here,’” Baker elaborated.
Paddy arrived at the precinct at just the right moment, so when no one came forward to claim this delightful little girl, the officers interpreted it as a sign that it was meant to be.
“She came into our lives, and she undoubtedly entered our world at a specific time and place for a purpose,” Sean Crotty, Hamburg Emergency Manager, stated.
Paddy is now formally part of the Town of Hamburg Police and Town of Hamburg Emergency Services.
Paddy, The Newcomer
The instant Paddy came into the police station as a stray, everyone adored her.
Paddy is a nickname derived from Paddy Wagon, and while she is neither a K9 nor a service animal, the officers enjoy jesting that they have a new rookie in the precinct.
“We considered if a fire station can have a Dalmatian, then why can’t we have a Rescue? It’s an idea we’ve been contemplating for a long time, and her affection for our officers and dispatchers just seemed like the perfect match,” Town of Hamburg Police shared in their Facebook post.
Paddy is a very lively and affectionate puppy, which is precisely what this station required.
“She brings joy to everyone’s day,” Lieutenant John Baker remarked.
These officers encounter a myriad of challenging circumstances each day, making something that can instantly brighten their spirits with its mere presence genuinely invaluable.
Paddy serves as a wonderful morale enhancer, contributing positively to the mental well-being of the personnel stationed there.
“We provide her with a very simple, basic environment to live in a good home, and she gives us so much more in return,” Officer Crotty expressed.
Paddy has already become the highlight of the town, and she even boasts her own Instagram account, so feel encouraged to follow her delightful escapades there.