The Fourth of July is a scary day for dogs, as many of us know. The crackles and blasts of fireworks startle the poor, befuddled doggies. However, explosive fireworks can cause harm to people as well as the dogs in the neighborhood.
On July 4th, a consumer firecracker that had been improperly disposed of set fire to a home in Tennessee. The family slept inside while it burned, oblivious to the risk. They were fortunate enough to reside next door to a highly attentive rescue dog.
The fire started about 10:20 p.m., an hour after the fireworks were thrown away by unknown individuals alongside explosive objects in the trash. The fire raged up the outside of the house, eventually reaching the attic.
A hero awoke next door. Roux, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois, began barking “frantically and strangely” at his home’s front door. Jeff LeCates, Roux’s owner, opened the door to see what Roux was raving about.
Roux dashed outside as LeCates unlocked the door to his home. Then LeCates observed the fire in his neighbor’s house. He slammed on their front door to wake them up immediately.
Roux’s barking seemed to work like a charm. The three-person family and their pets were able to flee the house safely. While waiting for the fire service, LeCates used a garden hose to put out the flames. Roux saved numerous lives despite the fire causing over $50,000 in damages.
Roux would have never met LeCates if it hadn’t been for the woman LeCates saved from a fire months ago. The woman is 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 companion to him.
Although German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are not the same breeds, they have a lot in common. These beautiful dogs are fantastic workers. They’re great at search and rescue and apprehending military suspects. In the event of an emergency, dogs like Roux certainly makes an excellent bystander.
Roux’s rescuing the guy who assisted in his recovery is persuasive proof that “everything occurs for a reason.” Their story also serves as a powerful argument for the use and disposal of fireworks safely and responsibly. But mostly, it’s just another reason to like dogs.
All photos courtesy of @NickBeresNC5/Facebook