by Emily Luxen
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - Quick thinking and work helped some Shelbyville firefighters save a dog from a burning home.
When firefighters arrived at the home on Blue Ribbon Parkway around 9:30 a.m. Thursday it was engulfed in smoke. After the owner was out of the house and safe, firefighters turned their attention to a dog that was still inside.
"Visibility was very low," said Jason Richardson, a Shelbyville firefighter. "I remember we raised a mattress, and pushed it to the side. The dog was trapped underneath."
Firefighters immediately rescued three-year-old Puppaluffagus and rushed her outside to get treatment.
"We hooked it up to oxygen, and just kept giving her oxygen," said Richardson. "Slowly, but surely, she started to breathe."
"She had a blank stare at first," said Matthew Barnard, a Shelbyville firefighter. "Then you could see the life come back all of a sudden.
One of the dog's owners looked on as firefighters helped her.
"It was unbelievable," said Bethany Morton. "They did an amazing job, and they responded extremely fast."
Morton said Puppaluffagus made a return trip to the veterinarian Friday and is still taking several medications, but is expected to be okay.
Firefighters said while the rescue effort was unexpected, they are pleased everything worked out.
"For most people their pet is more important that all the things in their home," said Barnard. "They would give up their home for their pet. We were happy to save her."
"I believe this is the first pet rescue I have been a part of," said Richardson. "The dog made it, and no one got hurt. It was a great day."
The residents of the home are receiving help from the American Red Cross and are staying in a hotel temporarily. At this point, they don't know when they will be able to return to their home.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Firefighters said it appeared to have started in the kitchen.
Email: eluxen@newschannel5.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/NC5EmilyLuxen
Twitter: Twitter.com/NC5_EmilyLuxen
