b'realitysoundbites.Who Are You Calling A Saint Bernard?Five-year-oldRansome isaNewfoundlandwhoisoftenmistaken for a Saint Bernard. His human, Bruce, decided todo something about it, in a creative way, using a drool bib.The Newfie looks a lot like the Saint Bernard, particularlywhen he sports the multicolored coat. They are so similar inappearance and personality that the monks in the Swiss Alpsmated the Newfie and the Saint Bernard in hopes of givingtheir puppies warmer coats. This experiment failed, but as aresult,manySaintBernardstodayhaveNewfieblood.Ransome is sweet-natured and loves to chill with his family.Although not genetically related, Newfies possess the samerescuing prowess as the Bernard and is often considered thewaterborne relative. UA creative Drool Bib helps keep Ransomes chest clean from thedrool that drips from his juicy jowls.If You See Something, Say SomethingChance was a victim of animal abuse before he was rescued by an AnimalControlOfficerwithLeeCountyDomesticAnimalServices. Theofficerfoundthedogwithhismuzzleboundtightlyshutwithredelectrical tape. He was in respiratory distress, also with a bleeding wound,and the inability to use one of his legs for support.The Lee County Sheriffs Office investigated the animal cruelty case,using forensics evidence to identify a suspect, who was subsequently con-victed with aggravated animal cruelty, a third degree felony. Chance waslater adopted by Lieutenant Richard Castellon and deputized by SheriffCarmine Marceno. The dogs situation sparked the agency to launch anAnimal Cruelty Task Force with Deputy Chance as the spokesdog for thePublic Affairs Unit at the Sheriffs Office. Deputy Chance was also titledas the Good Will Ambassador by County Commissioners, and votedShelter Dog of the Year in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards.He now regularly visits schools, children hospitals, and communityevents. He promotes goodwill and has become an advocate against ani-mal cruelty and helps promote adoption of shelter pets. Deputy Chanceis the face of the Deputy Dogs Pets on Patrol program in Lee County,Florida. www.DeputyDogs.com ULeading The Charge Towards ReformA coalition of Florida animal welfare advocates has developed anew training initiative for animal shelter staffers to learn the bestpractices in their field. Lifesaving University will be based atthe Jacksonville Humane Society. The shelter recently unveileda dormitory for shelter staffers from across the Southeast to stayfor free when they are in town for training. The training andmentorshipprogramwasdevelopedbyFloridaLeadersinLifesaving, a coalition of nonprofit and government-run shelters and animal clinics. Society CEO Denise Deisler andScott Trebatoski, a former Jacksonville city shelter director and current director of the Hillsborough County Pet ResourceCenter, are among the steering committee members.The goal, Deisler said, is to increase lifesaving in the state of Floridathe fourth-worst state in the nation forshelter death. Petco Love Foundation, Lowes, IKEA and White Constructors donated money, time, work, and producttowards building and outfitting the dormitory. U12THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'