A firefighter saved a pit bull in a fire. What began as a near-fatal tragedy for Jake, ultimately transformed his life for the better.
A firefighter saved a pit bull in a fire and has changed his life forever. What began as a near-fatal tragedy for a pit bull puppy named Jake ultimately transformed his life for the better, all thanks to the man who risked his own life to save him.
Bill Lindler, a firefighter with the Hanahan Fire Department in South Carolina, had just returned home from work one day in April when he saw flames rising from his neighbor’s detached garage. As expected, he jumped into action.
Bill told The Dodo:
I saw the mother and several cubs wasting away. I saw a puppy trying to escape, when a piece of the roof fell on top of him. He started screaming, but he freed himself and ended up cornered in a corner and huddled.
Firefighter saved a pit bull and decided to adopt it
When reinforcements arrived, Bill entered the burning house and found Jake hiding behind a couch on the brink of death.
Biil said:
I took him outside, and he was pretty sick. He was not moving. He was not breathing. He gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, until we could give her oxygen.
Although he was severely burned, the little dog survived and was sent to an emergency veterinary clinic. A few weeks later, Bill visited Jake to see how he was doing, and that’s when it emerged that the puppy’s family left him at the vet.
Bill saved the little boy’s life again. After being burned to more than 70 percent of his body, Jake’s recovery could take several weeks, but luckily Bill was there to make sure the pup wouldn’t be alone.
Jake got stronger and his burns started to heal, so Bill started taking Jake along with him during his shifts at the fire station. The animal fit the bill perfectly. Everyone was delighted with Jake.
Bill said:
It’s just the cutest little thing there is. Everyone fell in love with him.
As Jake’s presence among the other firefighters at the station became normal, Bill’s wife converted an old firefighter jacket and put it on Jake. The firefighters adapted a space for him in the station, where he has his own bed.
Jake continued to thrive, both in his own health and in the impact he was having on others in the community.
Bill said:
We have taken him to local schools for fire prevention education classes. It is a great success.
Jake was even awarded two new titles from the community he serves.
Bill said:
Talking to my boss and his superiors, they thought it would be appropriate for him to make him an honorary firefighter. He is also now our official firefighter mascot.
Bill added:
I would like to see him be a therapy dog for burned children, one day, so they can see that he is a survivor and that despite the scars they are all still beautiful.
Regardless of what lies ahead for Jake, the difficulties of his past, like the scars that mark his body, cannot be erased, but all of this only seems to make him stronger.
Biil finally said:
He is very happy and very healthy. I am very proud. Sometimes people wonder about scars, and when they do I tell them the story of Jake. I tell them that the scars are just his badge of being a firefighter.
