Have you noticed that most fire station dogs are Dalmatians? According to LiveScience, the tradition of Dalmatians in firehouses dates back more than a century. Before there were firetrucks, firemen use horse-drawn carriages and Dalmatians ran alongside them. The dogs protect the horses from any threat during the ride so they won’t be easily spooked. During the 1700’s, English Aristocrats have Dalmatians ran alongside their coach, and the dogs symbolize a social standing. And so the use of Dalmatians accompanying horse-drawn wagons was carried over. Nowadays, the fire station dogs are more like a mascot and a source emotional and moral support for the firemen.
Last week, a lost Dalmatian seem to know exactly where to go and walked in to the station of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in Florida.
It was around 2:30 in the morning and the firefighters were just returning to the station after they responded to a call. The lost Dalmatian ran inside the fire station and he eagerly made himself part of the crew.
With his wagging tail and friendly disposition, he walked in and lightened up the room. He cheered up the fire fighters just like a good fire house station dog would do.
The dog wasn’t wearing a collar, but it was obvious to the firefighters that the dog had an owner and it was their duty to return him to them. At first they searched nearby, but they couldn’t find his owner. So they made a video compilation of his moments at the fire station and posted it on Facebook. Check it out:
The PuppyA puppy walks into a fire station…
At 2:30am Tuesday morning, a dalmatian mix puppy snuck in and followed the engine into the bay after they had come back from a call. He eagerly made himself part of the crew. Unfortunately, he can not stay and play… We would like to get him home. This is his story.
Posted by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Florida on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Not long after they posted the video on social media, a family came forward to claim the dog. They made sure that the family was the rightful owner, and they found out that mystery Dalmatian’s name is Chico.
Chico’s home was a mile away from the fire station and he had been missing for a day. Although the firefighters were happy that Chico was reunited with his family, they were a bit sad to see him go.
Chico had made himself part of the fire station. Corey Dierdorff, the fire station’s spokesperson, told The Dodo that Chico is welcome to come visit the station any time.
For more details, read the full story at The Dodo.
