What sets first responders apart is their unique combination of fearlessness and bravery coupled with compassion. Back in January, amid the Palisades and Eaton fires in Southern California, firefighters demonstrated extraordinary dedication to rescuing and aiding as many animals as possible. One firefighter even made a heartfelt gesture by comforting a frightened and disoriented dog left behind. This week’s Feel-Good Friday story showcases the selflessness of two firefighters who not only saved precious dogs, offering them a new lease on life, but also welcomed these dogs into their own homes.
Recently, in Denison, TX, firefighter Scott Robinson was part of the team that swiftly responded to an early morning house fire. Upon their arrival, two dogs managed to escape the house on their own. However, amidst battling the intense flames, the firefighters came across another dog trapped inside a crate:
As Robinson recalled, “While we were tackling the fire, and the smoke was beginning to dissipate, I glanced through a window and saw him cowering in a corner within his crate, surrounded by the encroaching fire.”
Immediately, they knew they had to act quick to save his life.
“We carry these oxygen masks for dogs to help them breathe after they’ve had smoke inhalation like that,” said Robinson. “That was the first thing he got immediately after coming out… after 10 minutes of oxygen, he was up running around trying to get away from me.”
One wonders what caused this fire, and why these dogs were left alone. Who abandons three beautiful dogs and locks one in a crate? That wrong is blunted by what ended up right: the firefighters who arrived just in the nick of time to rescue the dogs, and firefighter Robinson who decided that the one trapped in the crate, now named “Blaze,” was meant to be a part of his family:
“He was pretty skinny at the beginning too,” said Robinson. “He’s come a long way. He was never really timid though, like you would think he would be.”
Clearly, Blaze made quite an impression, as Robinson says he knew immediately that Blaze was coming home with him.
Meet Blaze! He was rescued and adopted by Denison Firefighter Scott Robinson over the weekend from a house fire. He’s on the road to recovery!
@KTENnews pic.twitter.com/wzN9xTqZsK
— Olivea Herzberg (@HerzbergOlivea) March 26, 2025
And that was just this week! It’s been a few weeks of happy endings for the canine set. On St. Paddy’s Day in Pickens County, GA, firefighters rescued a litter of puppies from a house fire. The mama dog covered their little bodies with hers to protect them:
“Tried to do CPR on her. Worked her for several minutes,” Holaway said.
She didn’t make it but all seven of her puppies survived.
“I just handed them out the window to another firefighter,” said Holaway.
Three of them are at Bosley’s Place Rescue in Smyrna and on Monday, they were in the hands of the man who saved their lives.
“I love helping people. It is as simple as that. It definitely ain’t for the money, I can tell you that,” said Holaway.
Vets recommend that newborn pups stay with their mother and littermates for at least 12 weeks. This allows for social and emotional development, as well for the puppy to learn important skills and behaviors before being introduced to a new home. Soon after the rescue, Holaway, his wife, and their two children visited the puppies, and plan to adopt one of the puppies when he or she gets beyond that crucial stage. Holaway’s daughter said she was very excited at this prospect.
These firefighters understand that saving lives can go beyond rescuing human and other life from burning structures; it can also mean giving them a safe place that they can now call home. Thanks to Scott Robinson and Isaac Holaway, Blaze and one of the Pickens County puppies have a new “leash” on life.
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