This Pup Survived a Fire and Found a Forever Home With the Fire Chief: Their Inspiring Story

The morning after a massive fire destroyed a Brookings, Oregon, home in late February, Deputy State Fire Marshall Aubrie Krause arrived on the scene of the still-smoldering rubble to begin investigating the cause. She was talking with another fire official, when, suddenly, she heard whimpering.

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Looking around, Aubrie saw a little black puppy head peer out from under a trailer before disappearing. A big animal lover, she kneeled on the ground and patiently lured the frightened pup out of hiding, then gently picked her up.

After carrying the unharmed pup to a neighbor’s home, Aubrie began searching the 4-acre property for any possible furry siblings and soon spotted a puppy up on a hill. Aubrie ran to the ball of black fur and softly picked up the dazed pup.

Looking him over, she saw his left eye was swollen shut, an ear had swelled, the pads of his paws were burned off. The pup’s tummy was also burned, and his back and tail singed.

Aubrie returned to her truck with the pup, who she’d already named Smoky, and immediately called Jenifer Alcorn, the executive director of the nearby South Coast Humane Society. “Bring him to me,” Jenifer said. “I will call my veterinarian.”

At the shelter, as Smoky’s burns were treated, Aubrie considered keeping him, having learned the family who suffered the fire wanted to find him another home. But she already had three dogs.

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I’m not giving up on you, she promised Smoky and texted her pal Corey Bryant, the volunteer fire chief for Greenacres Fire & Rescue and fellow animal lover.

As soon as Corey found out about Smoky, he felt a tug on his heartstrings. And when he went to the Humane Society to meet Smoky, the pup crawled right into his lap and snuggled. “Yep, this is it, you’re mine,” Corey beamed.

Two weeks later, this past March 24th, Smoky was finally well enough to be released. Corey brought him home and the whole family—including his Lab, Sadie—fell in love with him right away.

Today, with lots of TLC, Smoky has made a full recovery and now acts like a typical puppy—loving, super-friendly with all humans big and small. He also accompanies Corey to the fire station, where he gets and gives lots of love.

Soon, Corey hopes to bring Smoky to schools to teach kids fire safety, and also plans to get him certified as a therapy dog.

“He’s just incredibly friendly to everybody and is pretty awesome,” says Corey. “I’m so lucky to have him.”

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