Marine adopts puppy that fell from an 80-foot cliff

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Szczepanowski has been chosen from more than 70 applicants to adopt the 4-month-old Chihuahua who fell over 80-feet from a cliff in Ocean Beach, California early in January.

The dog now called Clifford was running off leash when he plunged off the cliff, resulting in fractured ribs, head trauma and many bruises. When his owners ran away, San Diego lifeguards rescued him and Animal Services helped him heal.

Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa explained why Szczepanowski was chosen:

John's been through some tragedy in his life and Clifford has been through tragedy, and he wanted to partner with Clifford to go back to other wounded veterans and say, 'I made it. This little puppy made it. And you can make it too.’

Now the little guy is going to be a Marine therapy dog, helping the Sergeant in his work with Wounded Warriors.

As a combat-wounded veteran Szczepanowski says Clifford will act as an icebreaker in his work helping other wounded Marines transition to life back home.

Having been chosen from 70 applicants, the Sergeant said:

It's given me another purpose and the ability to care for somebody that deserves to be cared for, and he's also going to be looking out for me too. Source

Dramatis Personae

Misty the alpha Poodle
In her spare time
she studies quantum theory and
reads Proust
Timmy the stud muffin
aka
“The Jaws of Death”
“The Silver Assassin”
Chamois the generic dog
The world’s only
Miniature Albanian Wolfhound
because we were tired
of telling people she was a mutt
Tudee the Rescue
Half Chihuahua, half linebacker
Found in a busy intersection
telling the cars that
she was there first
Taki
A loving cat who came off the streets
and into our lives
and never left