Clifford, the four-month-old Chihuahua puppy that survived an 80 foot fall from a cliff in San Diego last month, has a new home. It's with Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Szczepanowski, according to a San Diego County news release.
Clifford made headlines when was found alive after his incredible fall in Ocean Beach January 11. The poor little guy has spent the last month recovering at San Diego County Animal Services from the head trauma, fractured ribs, and countless bruises he suffered in the fall.
More than 70 people applied to become Clifford's new owner, but Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa said Szczepanowski stood out among the applicants:
“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.”
Szczepanowski works in the Wounded Warrior Regiment at Marine Corps Headquarters. He said Clifford will one day help him in his work:
“He’s going to become a therapy dog and he’s going to do a lot of work with the local VA’s and veteran centers here in San Diego and Southern California. 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.”
