WICHITA, Kan. — After rescuing a 10-day-old puppy from a house fire in Wichita, one firefighter fells in love with the tiny terrier-mix.
Crews used canine resuscitation masks to help revive two puppies from the Jan. 19 house fire, but only one — named Ember — survived. Ember’s mother also died in the fire, but Ember, weighing only one pound at the time, survived against all odds.
Daniel McElroy, one of the firefighters who helped save Ember, continually followed up on her recovery, but had little hope he could adopt her because she belonged to the people whose house had caught fire.
But then one day McElroy learned the puppy had been turned over to Animal Control and needed a new home. McElroy was all too happy to offer a safe haven to the tiny terrier. His wife was on board, too. She wanted another dog to join their Chihuahua.
The McElroy’s were told they could change Ember’s name, but knowing what she’s been through, they said they’ll keep it.
Ember, a bundle of jubilant, wobbly fur, is expected to join her new family in the next couple of days.
