Rescue a Dog: Willow's Story

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Willow was picked up as a stray. She was held at the Humane Unit, but an owner never surfaced. Ten pounds underweight (before these pictures), the humane officers fed her and encouraged local rescue groups to meet this amazingly sweet dog.
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She had clearly been terribly neglected to the point of abuse. Since no other group was willing to step up for her, we, (Chesed Rescue) decided she deserved a chance. It was obvious she had never had a comfortable day in her life. Her skin was infected, missing fur, her teeth were worn down from possibly trying to escape a metal enclosure, eyes and ears infected, covered with parasites and upon examination, a cancerous mammary tumor. She also seemed to be suffering from Dog Allergies. Getting her health back on track was a huge task.
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She had obviously been bred repeatedly. Our best guess is she was a puppy producer for a backyard breeder, and was turned out when she stopped producing puppies/income.
Yet, she has a gentle, loving demeanor and bonds easily with those that try to help her. Willow is a young dog that has had a lifetime of abuse. Chesed Rescue has taken care of her medical needs, but she languishes in a cage at a kennel, waiting for someone to offer her what she needs most. A home.
If you think you can help Willow, please go to www.chesed-rescue.org and fill out an application to adopt. If you just want to help with her medical care, please go tho the web-site’s pay-pal account or send a donation through the mail. All contributions are tax deductible and will be used towards Willow’s care.
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willow with Officer sue

Bees at Clint Moore and 441: Reader Advice

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From a reader:
After seeing your 10-24-14 article referencing the officers who got stung at Palmetto and 441, I thought you might be interested in these photos. 
I found these bees in a small tree near Clint Moore and 441.  They showed up in the evening on 10-13-14, and I called a local bee keeper to see about getting them removed.  I was told the State of Florida is currently recommending that nobody relocate hives on account of concerns over spreading Africanized bees.  If the bee keeper were to come out, the only thing he would do is fumigate the swarm to kill them. 
The person I spoke to said these bees were probably just resting and would likely move on in the next day or two.  Sure enough, they all flew off shortly before lunch time the next day.  I wonder if all the land clearing occurring between 441 and Lyons is sending these bees our way.  I sure wouldn’t want to stumble into one of these bundles of bees!
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Deputies Chase Thief, Find Bees

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Readers contacted us about an incident on Palmetto Park Road just east of 441. A reader at the Walmart saw roughly seven Sheriff cars on the north side of Palmetto near Lowe’s and Walgreen’s.
After that the cars moved first into the parking area of those stores, and later even more PBSO vehicles were seen by other readers at the West Boca Medical Center emergency room.
We contacted PBSO information officer Teri Barbera. She’s not in the office but told us what little she knows at this time:
Deputies were chasing a suspect in a case involving theft. The chase led into an area with bees and deputies were stung. They are being treated at the medical center. Ms. Barbera did not know if the thief was caught when we spoke.
A reader updated us on what she saw:

I personally was there at the scene during almost the entire time. I was on the North side of Walgreens near the wooded area. The young guy who ran from Police to get away and hide stayed down in the murky area with water until the Canine finally arrived.
I only heard one Officer’s request to him to come out before the dog arrived as he would be bitten. All the Officers were standing watching the area where he went in. Nothing was said to try and get him out peacefully before the dog arrived on scene. Must have been 25 minutes before dog arrived. Since I was on the back side, I heard the dog go in and get the guy. I was heading out just after I heard the dog on the South side, making my way around and back to the scene. When I approached, the white guy was laying on the ground with no shirt and handcuffed behind his back. I did see blood on his arm.
Then I heard and noticed all the yelling and jumping…OMG…they were all being stung by bees! I felt so sorry for them all. I looked in my car for anything to help with the swarm of bees, but I had nothing to assist with. They quickly put the guy in the Police car and drove off. Many Officers were clearly visibly shaken with all the bees and stings. I felt so bad for them all.

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We at West Boca News send our best wishes to the deputies and hope for their quick recovery.

West Boca Wildlife Photos

Reader and photographer Johnnie Butters sent us several wildlife photos from various locations in West Boca, generally on the canal along 441. He inspired us to take some on a lake in Boca Falls. But his are better so we’ll put his first in this article.

Anhinga in front of Petco
Anhinga in front of Petco

Woodstork near Chipotle
Woodstork near Chipotle

Savannah Cat near Arbor Oaks
Savannah Cat near Arbor Oaks

Female Iguana on Palma Vista Bridge
Female Iguana on Palma Vista Bridge

Another iguana on the same bridge
Another iguana on the same bridge

A Great Blue Heron at Petco
A Great Blue Heron at Petco

Florida Cooter Turtle near Arbor Oaks
Florida Cooter Turtle near Arbor Oaks

Next up, our shots of birds on a lake in Boca Falls, including a Great Blue Heron, a Woodstork, a smaller bird that might be a baby Great Blue Heron, some ducks, and other birds.
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