From the City of Sugar Land:
In celebration of National Dog Day on Tuesday, August 26, the City of Sugar Land would like to spotlight SLPD Captain Greg Suter and his dog, Ella, a stray who hopped into his patrol call and who he later adopted from Sugar Land Animal Services 15 years ago.
In 2010, Captain Suter was working Patrol when a citizen called the Police Department to report three dogs roaming a parking garage near US 59 and Dairy Ashford.
“When many of us cops find dogs on the street, we typically get one of two responses out of them. Fear and flight is the first of those two,” Suter began. “As law enforcement, we approach unknown dogs cautiously to avoid getting bit, but more importantly, for the welfare of the dog, we want to avoid spooking them and having them run into traffic. Luckily, for this trio, the group fell into the second category.”
After a cautious approach, with a little whistle, Suter opened the back door of his patrol car and Ella (yellow dog) jumped in, and sat happily in the back seat, as if she had done this before. Suter was able to get the other two dogs inside the patrol car, too.
Once at the shelter, one of the three strays was able to be reunited with their family, thanks to a microchip. However, the other two, including Ella, were eventually put up for adoption. Suter didn’t miss a beat.
“Since the shelter was in my patrol beat at the time, I would frequently swing by to ensure the building was secure after hours, pet some dogs to provide them some interaction, and brighten my day. While there, Ella (she was named Tosha at the time by shelter staff) was never claimed, so I jumped at the opportunity to take her and the other stray I found on a “sleepover” for a few days. Both of them traveled with me to San Antonio to visit my girlfriend. I quickly decided to adopt Ella (who was about 1-year old at the time) and the other dog found a perfect fit in a home with another couple in the community.”
Ella, not only gained a family, she gained a wonderful brother, Beau, a German Shepherd the Suter’s later adopted. During a vet appointment, the family learned that Ella had been shot prior to becoming theirs and has a BB lodged near her spine. Beau and Ella made a great duo for over a decade. Sadly, Suter and his family said a tearful goodbye to their beloved Shepherd earlier this year.
Today, Ella is 15 years old and has spent the happiest part of her life with Captain Suter and his girlfriend, who is now his wife, and helps clean up the floor after their two young children. Ella may no longer be able to run at the Sugar Land dog park, but she still insists on lapping up water from puddles, and sending Suter to work with her hair on his dark, patrol uniform pants.
Although Ella moves a bit slower than she used to, Suter says he wouldn’t change a thing.
“A dog is just a part of your life, but you are everything to a dog’s life,” Suter shares. “Ella was my first girl, before my wife, my daughter, and Ella was with me when I proposed to my wife. We are thankful that this 15-year old pup still graces us with her smiling face! Give a shelter dog a chance. When you adopt from a shelter, you save three lives: the animal’s life, the life of another animal that needs the space, and your own.”
In sharing his story, Captain Suter’s hope is to inspire others to adopt, don’t shop.
To find your top dog, contact or visit Sugar Land Animal Services, 101 Gillingham Lane, Sugar Land 77478 or visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/Adoptions.