By Harriet Ramos
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
FORT WORTH, Texas — Tom, the formerly homeless veteran who recently surrendered his dog at a Fort Worth fire station, received the title to his RV on Friday afternoon.
“His spirits are so good,” said Bobby Crutsinger, the founder of the nonprofit organization for veterans that connected Tom with his new home.
On May 16, firefighters at Station 8 heard a dog whining outside and went to investigate. They found a brown pit bull tied to the station’s flagpole and a three-page letter stuffed inside a nearby water bottle.
The letter identified the animal as Jake, and asked the firefighters to “please help my baby.”
The dog’s 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.
A woman named Zoie saw photos of Jake that got posted on social media and realized she’d met his owner. Crutsinger said Zoie reached out to his organization, Operation Texas Strong, to get help for Tom.
Since then, the community has come together in an outpouring of support for Tom and Jake.
Crutsinger said they initially found an RV to house Tom, but it turned out to need some expensive repairs. He reached out to Bennett’s Camping Center in Granbury about doing the work, and they offered to donate a 2012 RV that Tom could move into immediately.
“We pull people together to help each other, because that’s what people need,” Crutsinger said.
Thursday night was Tom’s first night in the RV. Having a safe place to stay is already making a difference in the veteran’s life, Crutsinger told the Star-Telegram. He’s feeling good about himself and getting his strength back.
The Fort Worth Fire Department’s HOPE Team has been helping Tom get to medical appointments, the department said in a Facebook update, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help with Tom’s ongoing and future expenses.
“I still have important needs ahead. Every bit of support will help me take care of these essential needs and move forward with less worry,” Tom said in the fundraiser.
Tom is also looking for a vehicle, specifically a 2005 Ford Ranger with a standard transmission, Crutsinger said.
The fire crew at Station 8 has adopted Jake, and “he continues to bring smiles, laughter and companionship,” the firefighters posted on Facebook.
“Jake 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,” the post reads.
Help for veterans
Crutsinger said he’s thankful for those who’ve reached out to help Tom and others like him. It’s estimated that nearly 2,000 veterans in Texas are experiencing homelessness.
The Weatherford resident and his family launched Operation Texas Strong in 2021. They rely on donated RVs, which Crutsinger and other volunteers repair for unhoused veterans.
Crutsinger said the organization gives him an opportunity to love people and help them rebuild their lives. He likes to tell them, “God is absolutely amazing, and so are you.”
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