Jacksonville, Illinois—Firefighter Andy Bell carries two dogs, Parley (left) and Nellie, that were rescued from an apartment fire on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Jacksonville, Illinois. Both dogs survived, and Nellie was given oxygen before being returned to her owner. There were no injuries reported from the fire. PHOTO: AP Photo/Jacksonville Courier-Journal, Robert Leistra.

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A young firefighter emerges from a house clutching a dog who was left inside when it caught fire. The fire was caused by a man who was free-basing cocaine next door catching two houses on fire. —Photo: Steve Douglass

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EAST WENATCHEE — Neighbors rushed Monday afternoon to rescue three dogs from a single-wide mobile home engulfed in flames. The hounds were saved; the home was lost.

While firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, neighbors Paulina Luna and Laura Dearie each comforted a trembling, rescued puppy. Luna held one scared young dog while Douglas County volunteer firefighter Katie Lee applied emergency oxygen and brought blankets and water…. (February 16, 2010) —Photo: Mike Bonnicksen.

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Spikey was the subject of a water rescue in the LA river a couple of weeks ago. This story seemed to attract an unusual amount of attention, perhaps because his dramatic rescue from a frightening situation with fast-running water included him biting one of his rescuers, and resulted in a lot of coverage posing and answering the question of why fire departments engage in these rescues. The same list comes out every time: a life is a life, rescuing an animal promptly reduces the risk that a “civilian” will need to be rescued after making an attempt, and staging these rescues keeps the skills sharp for people in an occupation that can have an awful lot of downtime.

The publicity ensured that Spikey’s non-English-speaking owner learned he was alive and well – both of her dogs were lost when they got out of her yard, and the other one was found by animal control. Welcome home, Spikey!

Sources: Google news search, Baltimore Sun blog, video in the related links under the main story here

Calgary firefighter Dave Murray was involved in the harrowing rescue of Maggie, a St. Bernard dog he found on a cliff near Elkford while hiking with his girlfriend.They saved the dog and paid for his vet bill and now the owner has contacted him and may come out this weekend to claim the dog and thank him. (August 22, 2009) —Photo: Lorraine Hjalte, Calgary Herald

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ST. PETERSBURG — Firefighters rescued a puppy trapped in a drainage pipe Monday afternoon. Gucci, a 3-month-old chow, was reunited with his 8-year-old owner Alissa Davis after firefighters used one of their water hoses — but without the water. Alissa, her twin sisters and brother were taking a walk near the Childs Park Recreation Center at about noon when Gucci bolted into a 15-inch-wide, 50-foot-long drainage pipe. “He didn’t run away,” said the girl. “He just ran in there, playing, and he couldn’t find his way out.” The kids spent 30 minutes trying to lure the puppy out, but to no avail. They called 911 around 1:20 p.m. Firefighters shimmied a water hose into the pipe and filled it with air, “motivating” Gucci to run out the other end, St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue Lt. Joel Granata said. Firefighter Ben Wendell was able to grab the scared puppy and hand him back to his family. (June 30, 2009) —Photo: St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue

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In photo: Caleb Broadway, Carson Broadway and Preshia Broadway hold six puppies found abandoned at the Powers Fire & Rescue fire station on Friday. … “It’s just ridiculous that someone would throw these puppies out just like trash,” noted Broadway. “Fortunately we found them, brought them in the station and gave them some water to drink. They were suffering from the high heat and lack of water, but seemed to bounce right back after a little care.” Powers Assistant Chief Lance Chancellor took all six of the puppies home and they are now under the care of his daughters Kelsi and Daryn, and son Trevor. (July 5, 2009) —Photo: Lance Chancellor

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The smelly operation began just before 11 a.m. Sunday when the Calgary Fire Department was called to the Bonnybrook Water Treatment Facility in southeast Calgary. A three-legged Shephard-cross dog was found clinging to a surface skimming arm, a device used to sweep the surface of the water to remove floating impurities. The waste water pond is about 9-metres deep and 15-metres in diameter…. The fire department’s aquatics rescue specialists worked with the hazardous materials team – which was also dispatched to the scene due to the contaminated water in the pond – to save the canine. () —Photo:

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In photo: Orland Fire Protection District firefighter Don Piscitello is reunited with Ginger, a 12-year-old golden retriever, who he saved during a fire in Mokena on April 28. … A clothes dryer at their Mokena home started on fire while no one was home except for their beloved family pet, 12-year-old golden retriever Ginger. Ginger’s life was spared by a donation from an Orland Park resident with two golden retrievers of her own. Jill Fisher, owner of golden retrievers Lucy and Ruby, led the initiative last year to ensure that each of the six fire stations in the Orland Fire Protection District is outfitted with one Animal Oxygen Recovery Mask Sets, distributed by SurgiVet, Inc. The masks are available in large and small sizes for dogs, with a smaller mask designed for cats. (June 5, 2009) —Photo: Heather Warthen/22nd Century Media

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Vera fell down the well, landing on a ledge, while out for a walk with her owner in Stretton, Burton-upon-Trent. A firefighter was lowered into the well and then abseiled down to where Vera was perched on a ledge and was able to pick her up. A fire and rescue spokesman said the dog was unhurt and happy to be back with her owner. (June 1, 2009) —Photo credit not given in article

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