Blind Dog Rescue Sanibel Heroic Police Save Dog’s Life

Early Friday morning, Sanibel police rescued a blind dog named Rome in the Blind Dog Rescue Sanibel, creating a remarkable story that inspired the community. The story reflected the heroism and kindness of the police department, community awareness, and love for animals.

A Night of Fear and Hope

Whitaker Avedikian, the owner of Rome, experienced every pet parent’s worst nightmare when her beloved dog went missing late Thursday night. Rome, who is completely blind, somehow slipped away from the front courtyard and wandered into the dark streets of Boulder Drive. Normally, he stays in the yard or other favorite spots.

Avedikian had supportive neighbors who helped search for Rome. The challenge was that it was dark, and the island had many animals. “We searched for almost three hours,” Avedikian said. “You start to lose hope, especially on this island — there are so many animals that could have gotten him.”

As night turned into morning, hope began to fade — until a neighbor followed her instincts and changed everything.

The Heroic Rescue

At approximately 1:30 a.m., neighbor Georgianne Nienaber was awakened by the sound of her own dog acting unfavorably. In the Blind Dog Rescue Sanibel incident, she stepped outside her backyard and saw something strange in the water.

“I only saw a little head. I knew it was a dog head and his little eyes,” Nienaber said. 

Upon realizing that a dog was stuck and was too big to pull out by herself, Nienaber called the Sanibel Police Department. Within moments, police officers arrived to assess the situation—Rome was in the water, frightened, and at the same time, an alligator was nearby. 

The officers then quickly and calmly acted. They were determined to work together for almost an hour before they got to the dog. Finally, one of the officers committed to walking into the water to pull the dog out. 

“It was a good hour of fussing like this,” said Nienaber, “Finally one of them said, ‘I’m just going in the water and getting him out.'”

A Happy Ending and a Grateful Heart

Avedikian was not present during the Blind Dog Rescue Sanibel, but was deeply grateful to everyone who made the rescue possible. Thereafter, Rome was taken to Lee County Animal Services, where he was reunited safely with his owner later that morning. 

“It could have been a totally different story…” Avedikian said while being emotional. ‘I really feel lucky that we had a happy ending.” 

Rome understandably appeared shaken but safe; the result of teamwork, compassion, and the desire to care for someone unable to protect themselves.

Key Takeaways from the Incident

• Community Accountability Saves Lives: Everyone can stay safe when socially vigilant neighbors watch out and take action.
• Compassionate Police: The officers risked entering the water to save a defenseless animal.
  Their bravery protected the dog while keeping themselves safe.
• Every Second Counts: With all the reporting, every minute counted. And of course, you’d want to hurry up if a gator is involved! 
• Love is Blind: Rome (the dog) was blind by human standards, yet his desire to live was bright and vibrant. 

This rescue shows that compassion and courage save lives.
It also proves that strong communities keep neighborhoods safe for people and animals alike.