As many of us know all too well, the Fourth of July is a scary time to be a dog. Firework explosions and crackles frighten our poor confused pups. But beyond just terrorizing the neighborhood dogs, flammable fireworks can harm people too.
This July 4th in Tennessee, an improperly disposed of consumer firecracker lit a home on fire. The family slept inside as it burned, unaware of the danger they were in. Fortunately for them, they happened to live next door to a very attentive rescue dog.
Roux The Doggie Fire Alarm
Video evidence showed the fire starting at around 10:20pm, an hour after the fireworks went into the trash with combustible materials. The fire burned its way up the outside of the house, reaching the attic.
Next door, a hero awoke. Roux, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, started barking “frantically and unusually” at the front door of his home. His person, Jeff LeCates opened the door to see what Roux could be yelling about.
As LeCates opened the door to his house, Roux ran right outside. Then LeCates noticed his neighbors’ house on fire. He immediately pounded on their front door to wake them up.
Roux’s barking worked like a miraculous charm. The family of three and their animals were able to escape the home safely. While waiting for the fire department, LeCates worked on the flames with a garden hose.
Though the fire caused over $50,000 in damages, Roux saved multiple lives. Good boy Roux!
She Helped Save Him, He Helped Save Her
Incredibly, Roux never would have been in LeCates’ life if not for the woman he saved from the fire. She works as a dog groomer, and knew Roux needed a home 15 months prior. Since LeCates had recently lost his German Shepherd, she thought Roux could be a great new friend to him. Obviously she was right! And Roux proved to be a pretty great neighbor too.
German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois aren’t the same breed, but they share many similarities. These gorgeous dogs make excellent workers. They excel at search and rescue as well as military suspect apprehension. A dog like Roux clearly makes a great bystander in case of an emergency.
Roux saving the person who helped save him is some pretty compelling evidence for “everything happens for a reason!” Their story also makes a great case for safe and proper firework use and disposal. But mostly, it’s just one more thing to love about dogs.
H/T: Fox13
Featured Image: @NickBeresNC5/Facebook
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via Whisker Therapy