Fort Pierce, FL — A tumble into a septic drain might have been the end of a little puppy in Fort Pierce recently, but it seems luck was on the critter's side in more ways than one.

St. Lucie County deputies out serving civil process paperwork in a Fort Pierce neighborhood recently couldn't help but notice a what sounded like a dog's whimpers coming from nearby. Not willing to simply walk away, the deputies served the papers and then set out to investigate the sounds. "During a search of the neighboring vacant lot, they found a puppy who had fallen into a collapsed septic drain," the sheriff's office reported on Facebook. "Scared and exhausted, they pulled him out."

Deputies searched the neighborhood for an owner, but had no luck. See Also: Cop, Rescue Puppy Caught Napping Considering the pup's stinky adventure, he required several baths, the agency noted. After he was all dolled up, it seems the little guy stole one of his rescuer's hearts.

"The pooped pooch was adopted by the deputy that rescued him and is now enjoying a life in the lap of luxury," the sheriff's office said. Photos of the pup at his new home indicate that to be the case. He seems to have staked out a place for himself on his new owner's bed.

The Fort Pierce rescue isn't the only recent story about a law enforcement officer going above and beyond to protect and serve a four-legged citizen. A police officer in Lakeland recently made national news after rescuing a puppy he nearly hit with his cruiser. That officer continued to work his 12-hour shifts while searching in his off time for the pup's owner. A photo of him and the puppy snoozing at the Lakeland SPCA went viral. The pooch in that case was also adopted.