In the third month of 2017, fire rescue personnel in West Palm Beach, Florida were notified about a potential brush fire occurrence in the vicinity of a shelter for homeless individuals.
Captain Gregg Gordon and his team showed up on time, only to be met with a disheartening sight: a guard dog that had been tied to a tree and was severely burned. The poor creature was in a great deal of pain.
Firefighter Marcos Orozca rescued a dog by freeing him from his chain and taking him to Jupiter Pet Emergency and Specialty Center (JPESC). The adorable pooch was named Smokey by the heroic firefighters. Unfortunately, Smokey had been badly burned and was in distress even after being rescued. Gordon, one of the firefighters, shared his concerns for the dog’s survival.
Dr. Latimer quickly led the little puppy into the clinic for treatment. Upon examination, the veterinarian discovered that the dog had suffered severe burns on its hind legs and back torso. Despite the extent of the injuries, Dr. Latimer reassured the firefighters that the puppy would recover with proper care and treatment. The brave little pup, named Smokey, received a lot of attention at JPESC where he was treated with blood transfusions from a generous donor named Shadow, as well as regular baths and bandage changes. Additionally, Smokey underwent hyperbaric chamber treatments to help reduce swelling and pain caused by the burns. JPESC kept their followers updated on Smokey’s progress through their Facebook page.
Initially, Smokey was frightened and timid around the staff at JPESC. Over time, he gained confidence and grew more comfortable with the vets and nurses. After being rescued by firefighters, Captain Gordon decided to take Smokey in as a foster dog. Smokey was delighted to have two new furry friends to play with at Captain Gordon’s home. During a check-up visit to JPESC, Smokey couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw Dr. Latimer, who had helped save his life. Smokey expressed his gratitude through lots of hugs and tail wags. The video of this heartwarming reunion was uploaded on YouTube. During the same visit, Dr. Katelyn Thomas fell in love with Smokey and decided to adopt him. She renamed him Fen, and he has been living happily with her for the past two years. Fen has developed a love for swimming and enjoys having adventures with his new mother.
Fen always held fond memories of Dr. Latimer, his longtime pal. Last year, Fen had the privilege of being the official mascot for the Peggy Adams Walk for Animals event. During the festivities, Fen was thrilled to spot Dr. Latimer among the crowd and eagerly ran over to him, leaping into his welcoming arms.
