A fire raged early Tuesday morning at the Domaradzki residence in Portage Park, Chicago. Sara Domaradzki narrowly escaped the flames as she ran from her home with her dog, Bambi, in her arms. As quickly as Sara ran outside, Bambi leapt from her arms and sprinted back inside the house.
Sara’s boyfriend, Alessandro Mininni, told the Chicago Tribune:
She ran back into the house to find (Sara’s) dad, and then they both got stuck there.
The 4-year-old Labrador mix belongs to Sara, but her father, Piotr Domaradzki and Bambi have a very strong bond. Hanging out in the house together, and going on long walks have made the two very close.
Firemen came out carrying Piotr Domaradzki and later, Bambi. Mr. Domaradzki initially had no vital signs when paramedics began working on him, but they were able to revive the sixty-nine year old and brought him to the hospital.
Things were looking worse for the brave pup, who cared more about her family’s wellbeing than her own.
Firefighter Mike Strachan and engineer Mark Andrade were the first to assist Bambi. “(She) looked limp.” Strachan said. Andrade noticed Bambi’s tail was moving, and instructed Strachan to rub her chest. Other firefighters and paramedics joined in to help. Bambi was draped in blankets and fitted with an air mask.
First responders, told Alessandro to talk to Bambi and pet her. It worked. Bambi limply wagged her tail when he got down on the ground next to her, while paramedics got oxygen tanks and the car prepared to take her to emergency vet.
At two very different Chicago hospitals, Mr. Domaradzki and Bambi were in critical condition fighting to survive. Mr. Domaradzki is still in on the mend, and Bambi is still recuperating from complications due to smoke inhalation, but both are expected to recover quickly.
We hope for a speedy recovery for Mr. Domaradzki, high paws to the brave firefighters and paramedics, and major belly rubs to the incredibly heroic Bambi.
