RHODY PETS: The legacy of Wickford’s K-9 hero + the

Hero Pup

Local K-9 Ruby’s legacy is memorialized in a Netflix film telling her story

Corporal Dan O’Neill and K-9 Ruby

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: ZEUS

By Karen Kalunian

Zeus is a two-year-old Catahoula mixed breed with an incredible, colorful coat. Bright blue eyes just add to this pup’s beauty. Zeus, who enjoys hiking and long walks, is in search of a family who can keep up with his active lifestyle – a fenced in yard where he could run and play would be great, too. When you first meet Zeus, he’s a little shy, but once he feels comfortable, he’ll show you his fun-loving, playful side. Zeus is also extremely smart and loyal and loves a good treat. If you are in search of a companion that meets his description, please contact Heart of RI Animal Rescue League for more information at heartofriadoption@gmail.com or 401-467-3670, or visit (no appointment needed) at 44 Worthington Road, Cranston during business hours. Find more adoption information online at HeartOfRI.org

If you have been thinking of adopting or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

K-9 Ruby may have gained a national spotlight with the new Netflix movie Rescued by Ruby, but her humble roots originate here in Rhode Island. “I’ve always been a huge advocate of giving shelter pets a second chance,” says Corporal Dan O’Neil, the Rhode Island State Police trooper whose steadfast love and determination turned this wayward rescue pup into a superstar in the search-and-rescue field, winning American Humane’s Hero Dog of the Year in 2018.

Ruby was a Border Collie Australian Shepherd cross who was first surrendered as a puppy to the Rhode Island SPCA in East Providence for her unmanageable behaviors. She was returned by five di erent adopters and just two hours shy of being euthanized when shelter volunteer Patricia Inman proposed this “smart, dynamite” pup for police training, convinced she just needed a job. Ruby met with Corporal O’Neil of Wickford Barracks determined to fulfill his goal for her of making the K-9 unit against all odds, and a dream partnership was formed.

The movie, which was released for streaming March 17, is based on the true story of their work. It draws parallels between the pair, showing how both man and dog needed to work a little harder to harness their kinetic energy and focus – but when they do, the results are remarkable.

In 2017, a teenager went missing in the Glocester woods and Ruby was the one to locate him, lying unconscious and bleeding. The boy was safely reunited with his mother, who turned out to be the very volunteer who campaigned for Ruby at the shelter.

In the film, O’Neil is portrayed by Grant Gustin (to the delight of O’Neil’s young sons who loved him as The Flash), whose performance makes this a very human story as well as a canine one.

But while the movie is keenly feel-good, there was real life heartbreak in May this year when Ruby passed away at age 11. The loss may be great, but Ruby’s legacy is greater.

While the O’Neil family mourns privately, the o cial word comes from Colonel Darnell S. Weaver. “K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to