My name is Elayne Chapman and I live in an over 55 community in Central Florida. Several days ago, one of our residents was walking her new rescue dog, Pepper, when she broke free from her leash. For four days, there were sightings by residents of Pepper throughout the community, but Pepper had other ideas and led many volunteers on a merry chase. No one could catch her, not even her owner, Kathy Morton.

Fast forward four or five days, and Pepper had managed to leave the community and was seen on the very busy Parkway nearby. Volunteers Suzy and John were driving up and down the Parkway looking for Pepper when they spotted a young man by the name of Joel carrying a dog in a towel. It was our Pepper, saved by this lovely young man who had no idea where she had come from, the huge search that had taken place to find her, and most of all, how happy her owner Kathy would be to have Pepper home. Joel is our hero. Without thought of the dangers of running after a dog on a busy Parkway, he managed to catch Pepper and bring her home. Thank you, Joel, for your bravery, your compassion, and most of all, for saving a dear little dog’s life.