On May 16, firefighters at Station 8 heard a dog whining outside and went to investigate. They found a brown pit bull<\/a> tied to the station\u2019s flagpole and a three-page letter stuffed inside a nearby water bottle.<\/p>\n The letter identified the animal as Jake, and asked the firefighters to \u201cplease help my baby.\u201d<\/p>\n The dog\u2019s owner, Tom, described himself as a 65-year-old disabled veteran. He ended up on the streets 20 months ago after an apartment manager refused to renew his lease.<\/p>\n A woman named Zoie saw photos of Jake that got posted on social media and realized she\u2019d met his owner. Crutsinger said Zoie reached out to his organization, Operation Texas Strong<\/a>, to get help for Tom.<\/p>\n Since then, the community has come together in an outpouring of support for Tom and Jake.<\/p>\n Crutsinger said they initially found an RV to house Tom, but it turned out to need some expensive repairs. He reached out to Bennett\u2019s Camping Center in Granbury about doing the work, and they offered to donate a 2012 RV that Tom could move into immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cWe pull people together to help each other, because that\u2019s what people need,\u201d Crutsinger said.<\/p>\n Thursday night was Tom\u2019s first night in the RV. Having a safe place to stay is already making a difference in the veteran\u2019s life, Crutsinger told the Star-Telegram. He\u2019s feeling good about himself and getting his strength back.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Fire Department\u2019s HOPE Team has been helping Tom get to medical appointments, the department said in a Facebook update<\/a>, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help with Tom\u2019s ongoing and future expenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI still have important needs ahead. Every bit of support will help me take care of these essential needs and move forward with less worry,\u201d Tom said in the fundraiser.<\/p>\n The fire crew at Station 8 has adopted Jake, and \u201che continues to bring smiles, laughter and companionship,\u201d the firefighters posted on Facebook.<\/p>\n Jake, the pit bull recently adopted by the Fort Worth fire crew at Station 8, has found the perfect recliner to nap in, the firefighters say. Jake\u2019s owner left him outside the station after he could no longer take care of his beloved pet.<\/p>\n (Glen E Ellman\/Fort Worth Fire Department via Facebook)<\/p>\n \u201cJake has found the perfect recliner to nap in and once that gear is on, takes his job as a Fort Worth Fire Department rookie very seriously,\u201d the post reads.<\/p>\n Jake, the pit bull recently adopted by Fort Worth firefighters after his owner could no longer care for him, is bringing smiles and companionship to the crew at Station 8.<\/p>\n (Glen E Ellman\/Fort Worth Fire Department via Facebook)Help for veterans<\/p>\n Crutsinger said he\u2019s thankful for those who\u2019ve reached out to help Tom and others like him. It\u2019s estimated that nearly 2,000 veterans in Texas<\/a> are experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n The Weatherford resident and his family launched Operation Texas Strong in 2021. They rely on donated RVs<\/a>, which Crutsinger and other volunteers repair for unhoused veterans.<\/p>\n Crutsinger said the organization gives him an opportunity to love people and help them rebuild their lives. He likes to tell them, \u201cGod is absolutely amazing, and so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 More breaking news:<\/p>\n![\"Jake,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b2c2507cf4635f9970d66eee13dd8241.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Jake,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/50daf113db123881dcf3a234da6e1840.jpeg\"\/)
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