Pit Bull puppy Jake had barely been able to see the world when, at three weeks old, he became trapped in a backyard shed that caught fire. Call it fate or coincidence, but nearby resident Bill Lindler just so happened to be a firefighter. He sprang immediately into action when he heard the neighbors’ terrified shouts.
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Lindler tells Bored Panda:
I noticed there was some smoke coming from my neighbor’s yard. The residents were yelling their puppy was in the building.
Donned in his protective gear and prepared for the worst, Lindler fought the blaze and emerged with the sweetest and most relieved little puppy. Jake was alive, but terrible burns covered seventy-five percent of his small body. His family left him at the vet when they realized they couldn’t afford his care.
You didn’t think we’d forgotten about our hero though, did you? Mr. Lindler and his family adopted Jake, and he became the offical fire station pup.
No, really. On December 8th, 2015 he was sworn in by the City of Hanahan. His K-9 Oath of Office reads:
I, Jake the Fire Dog, as the Mascot for the City of Hanahan Fire Department, do hereby promise to help make kids smile with my charming personality and help them to learn about fire safety and what to do in an emergency situation. […] No job is too big or too small where kids are concerned.
And so began Jake’s bonafide career. He travels to schools to teach kids about fire safety, and his pink scars don’t seem to affect his confidence one bit. Of course, he still has a lot of time to goof off at home.
I shall chase it in circles around and around…
Posted by Jakes Page on Friday, November 6, 2015
Just look at the fine young man he’s grown into!
Says Lindler, “I would honestly like to get him certified to be a therapy dog for burned children,” but in a recent change of heart he’s decided Jake’s tenacious spirit would be perfect for an arson detection dog. And so he shall be.
Ain’t nothin’ gonna stop this Pibble on the move! Way to go Jake, and good luck to you and your dad in your formal training!
Keep up with Jake’s story on his official Facebook page!