If there’s one lesson that movies taught everyone, it’s the idea that heroes can come in all forms. And while Spiderman or Iron Man is purely a work of fiction, there’s another breed of heroes that can be found in every local community – firefighters! On a typical day, the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) would receive various calls requesting assistance, from putting out burning houses to random rescues.
But one of the most memorable moments they’ve ever encountered was when they were asked to save eight adorable puppies, which they did so successfully. Little did they know that they’d be in for a surprise of a lifetime in the end!
Life in the Fire Brigade
Being a firefighter is probably among the most challenging and noble professions out there. Aside from risking their lives to keep people safe, they go to great lengths to help anyone who is in need, including animals. The CSFD is no exception – they are said to have the best people and equipment for the job!
Aside from being skilled, their ability to respond immediately in whatever emergency is unparalleled and this is precisely why the local folks depend on them like no other. No matter how big or small a crisis is, they are confident the firemen would be there anytime.
Another Day at Work
Going to work daily can get pretty routine for many people, but for firefighters, it’s another opportunity to make the world a better place. Every time the phone rings, they expect the worst yet hope for the best. So, when someone called and requested assistance for an animal rescue, they were relieved it wasn’t anything too terrible.
It didn't take long before a team was dispatched to heed the rescue. The sooner they get there, the faster the animals would be taken to safety. No one wanted to save them as much as this rescue team!
Animal Safety First
Sometimes, even the gentlest person would have challenges taming a small animal, which is why it’s critical for anyone who’s bound to handle a creature to undergo specific training. Even though there are instances wherein, a fireman is already informed about what kind of animal he needs to rescue, wildlife behavior can get quite unpredictable!
More often than not, these animals can range from the domesticated types like dogs or cats; however, dangerous or aggressive ones can also be thrown in the mix like snakes or bears – the possibilities are endless!
Off to the Rescue Site
Now that they were briefed of the situation at hand, the firemen wasted no time and went to the site as quickly as possible. Upon arrival, they found out there were not one but several animals stuck inside a storm drain – they’d be in a lot of trouble if they stay there any longer.
Thankfully, there wasn't a single drop of rain, and the critters weren't in any imminent danger. Regardless of the weather, the rescue team had to act as soon as possible as the ditch was dark and difficult to access. As such, they decided to send one of the men down and get everyone out.
Seeing Them for the First Time
Hand in hand, the firemen worked hard to get to the animals, which at the time they still didn’t know were dogs. But once they heard them whimper, they realized it was a litter of baby animals! They were all shocked as to why anyone would discard such a lovely little bunch and leave them in a place like this?
It was almost possible the mother was the culprit, or maybe she just left to grab some scraps of food. Either way, they still needed to figure out a way to remove them without harm or injury.
It Won’t Be Easy
Incredible as it may sound, the runts were doing okay despite being deserted in a dingy and cold place. Usually, in similar situations, the animals would either be dead or dying by the time would arrive. But luck was on their side as they were active as ever.
Carefully, the firemen made their way toward the creatures and looked around to make sure the mom wasn't nearby. If she were, they'd be in a dilemma whether the mission should be pushed through or just allow the animals to be reunited and risk being abandoned again – a decision had to be made, and fast!
Decisions, Decisions
First off, they weren’t entirely sure whether the animals were dogs or some other wild creature. And this was critical information just in case the mother was around – nobody wanted to be pounced on by some crazy stray and get hurt!
But the problem was right in front of them and couldn't be ignored much longer; the animals were safe now. However, they should be removed before it starts to rain and cause the situation to escalate. Should they just leave them or go ahead and take them to safety?
Investigation is Underway
With all options considered, they finally reached a decision and proceeded with extracting the babies. But first, they donned protective gear like gloves to not only avoid being scratched but to keep their scent to themselves. A soft sheet was also positioned right next to the sewer where the animals would be placed – they were ready as they'd ever be!
One of the firemen first went inside and held the animal, and much to their surprise, it was such a tiny and furry thing! Everyone's heart melted when it rolled around the sheet innocently, too.
Our Favorite Furry Friend
It was now clear what sort of creatures were in their midst all along – puppies! And they were the sweetest and cutest ones they've seen in a while, but that still doesn't answer the question of why they wound up in a storm grate in the first place.
As they looked at the hairy mutts, they couldn’t help but wonder if this was a case of abandoned, unwanted pets. If so, it's not too surprising since it was a common occurrence everywhere, and they usually received similar calls at least every month.
Hopeful They Were Wrong
Animal cruelty can stem from the most unexpected places, and if this was one of those stories, then the firemen had to double their efforts and ensure the critters were provided the best care they deserved. Mangy or otherwise, these furry friends held a special place in their hearts, and they couldn’t bear the sight of a helpless animal.
At the back of their minds, they knew the story had to be shared with the public as it would help pet owners realize it's never okay to leave any creature unattended, so they really prayed their gut feeling was wrong.
Furry Balls of Cuteness
The firefighters already knew they were dealing with canines, but they didn’t expect there would be more than one in the sewer! That made it even trickier to get the animals out since they would have to do it several times.
But fortunately, the area the dogs were in wasn’t too deep, so it won’t be as hard as they thought! They all assumed the poor creatures were probably unaware of what was happening as they gathered together and tried to keep warm. From the looks of it, they’ve been deserted for days.
More Information Comes In
Despite all that’s happened, the firefighters wanted to confirm whether their suspicions were correct, so they resorted to contacting the person who reported the incident. Based on the witness’ account, she initially saw the animals as they were caught in a heavy storm and got swept away by a current.
The woman quickly tried to help the poor pups and ran after them, but she couldn’t catch up. That’s when she decided to call for help as she didn't have the appropriate rescue equipment – the storm drain couldn't be opened by bare hands alone.
Help Wanted!
With no other choice, she dialed the Colorado Springs Fire Department and immediately requested assistance. The firemen commended her for thinking swiftly on her feet as the creatures would have been hurt if she'd forgone seeking help! In other situations, people would opt to do the rescue themselves despite the lack of tools.
If it weren't for the concerned citizen, the chances of the animals dying would be extremely high, mostly since they were still puppies. One can only hope other people would emulate the woman the next time this happens.
The Guessing Game Begins
Finally, the dogs were safe and sound – it took a lot of team effort, but they did it! Now, the firefighters were curious about what dog breed they were since they all possessed short black fur but with a wiry texture. At first glance, they thought the pups were Labradors – but the brave men would know the truth soon enough.
Each mutt was thoroughly checked by a vet clinic called Humane Society to rule out any wounds or other injuries they may have sustained in the ordeal. After they learned the dogs were in the pinkest of health, the firemen declared their work was complete.
They Weren’t Ordinary Dogs
Just a few moments after dropping off the animals at the clinic, one of the firefighters was contacted by the vets and was provided a shocking yet amusing update. Initially, fireman Mark Jenkins thought the pups were in trouble; however, the doctor told him nothing was wrong except that the animals weren't dogs in a sense.
In fact, the newly rescued creatures were baby red foxes! How could they have thought these foxes were dogs when they are two different animals? It turns out puppies and fox cubs look a bit similar, so their wild guess was understandable.
Returning the Cubs
As soon as he heard the news, Mark informed his colleagues about the mix-up and had a good laugh about it. They were happy they helped the cubs, but they soon realized another problem – what if the mama fox would scour the storm drain looking for her babies and find them gone?
The firemen were torn at what to do, and since they were dealing with wildlife, they concluded that it was best to return the foxes to the drain and check if the mama fox would return. It may seem like a waste of time, but they hoped the babies would see their mom again.
Waiting for Their Mama
They soon got back to the storm sewer and placed the foxes back where they were found. After that, they went to a secure hiding place with just the right distance and waited for the mama fox to come back. This way, she won’t think twice of approaching her babies, more so since it was already getting dark.
Like any fox, the red fox a nocturnal creature known for its cunning behavior and large size once they reach full adulthood. The team expected the mama fox to make an appearance, but unfortunately, she never came the entire night.
Time to Move On
It took several hours before the team finally called the operation quits. Morning came, and still, there was no sign of the elusive mama fox, and the firemen had to accept that perhaps she has indeed abandoned her babies. They took them out for the second time and brought them to another vet called the Animal Clinic of Woodland Park.
One might wonder why they chose this facility - well, it's because they specialize in rehabilitating animals before they are released back to the wild. It would be the perfect temporary home for the furry foxes!
Still A Happy Ending
Even if the cubs never reunited with their mom, the CSFD still declared the result as a happy ending, considering they were all safe and healthy. It was a story everyone could learn essential lessons from, especially for aspiring firefighters!
And while the story may sound unique, close encounters with wildlife happen just about anywhere in Colorado. Due to its lush greenery, the Centennial State has the ideal terrain for foxes to thrive, which is why the animal’s population is considerably high. Sure enough, this won’t be the last time people will hear stories of the same nature!