Benco Dental Territory Rep Kathryn Matteson Klein makes headlines in Tampa Bay for her “good Samaritan” act.

Gracie, once a dog found adrift in Tampa Bay, embarked on a new chapter, a fresh start, and a different name, courtesy of a kind-hearted soul who intervened.

Kathy Klein, moved by the tale of Gracie’s sea-bound adventure, took action. It was a simple decision, born from the heart after reading about Gracie’s nightlong struggle in the waters and the subsequent shivers during her rescue.

One Saturday evening, after a family dinner, Klein made an impromptu stop at Home Depot. She emerged not with household items but with a dog bed, a blanket, and a jacket, driven by a wish to donate them to Gracie.

Despite efforts to locate Gracie’s owner, no luck befell them. The pet hospital requested 72 hours before contacting Animal Control. Klein, reluctantly leaving for work on Monday, sensed Gracie’s sweetness and gratitude, echoing her belief in a dog’s intuitive sense of help.

An immediate vet visit unveiled Gracie’s resilience, labeled a “rugged little girl” despite weak hind legs from her ordeal. Settling in among the Kleins’ two other dogs, Gracie’s new identity began to take shape, adorned with a collar adorned with nautical motifs, a symbol of her survival.

Gracie’s renaming, a suggestion from Johnson, solidified her transformation. From Baby to Gracie, a name echoing the grace that brought her back from the brink.

With Gracie now part of her family, Klein envisioned a happily-ever-after, a future filled with love and warmth.

Read the full story here.