FORT MYERS, Fla. - Some pet owners have a hard time staying afloat financially. When they are down on their luck fortunately there is a safety net, foster care for animals.

Lexi is a loving German Shepard. Her owner got evicted, and while her master looks for a new home, a foster family took the animal in. Little did they know Lexi would repay their kindness.

Denise Default lost her house and can't afford a new one with what she is making on disability. Living in a truck she realized life was too hard on her German Shepard, Lexi, so Denise looked into foster care.

Cecelia Patterson offered to help, and she's glad she did. A stray bottle rocket on new years eve caught her backyard shed on fire. Lexi was insistent and kept barking till Ceceila got up to see what was wrong.

According to Cecelia, the fire department told her if they had come any later her house would have gone up in flames too.

Lexi's master isn't surprised by her dog's bravery, but she misses her terribly. "I want my family back together, I want her home, but I can't bring her home to live with me in the truck."

"Foster mom" Cecelia understands Denise's pain but says Lexi will always have a safe place to stay. "She has a home for as long as it takes for Denise to find a place. Because she's my hero."

If you're interested in fostering an animal, more information is available on the Lee County Domestic Animal Services website.

