While responding to an emergency call, the fire crew happened to spot a small dog chained by the roadside. Since they couldn’t stop right away, they returned after completing their mission. The freezing weather had left Chunk trembling, a sight that touched everyone’s heart. Firefighter Mike Thawley brought her back to the station, where he and his colleagues gave her the love and care she had never known.
Chunk was still shivering from the cold, so the firefighters gently gave her a warm bath, followed by lots of cuddles and affection from the crew. But it quickly became clear that the cold wasn’t her only problem—she was also suffering from severe mange, a painful skin condition often seen in dogs who’ve been abused or neglected. After receiving some much-needed care at the station, Chunk was transferred to an animal shelter where she could continue her treatment and, hopefully, find the loving forever home she truly deserved.
The Front Street Animal Shelter took Chunk in for treatment and placed her in a foster home to recover. Though her healing was slow and her fur took time to grow back, she was safe and cared for. Throughout it all, firefighter Mike Thawley couldn’t stop thinking about her. When he returned to visit, Chunk instantly recognized her hero and lit up with pure joy, proving their bond was unbreakable.
“We all just sort of fell in love with her,” the Sacramento Fire Department said on their Facebook page.
Mike didn’t come to the shelter alone, his wife and three girls came along too. And they were there for a specific cause! The fireman and his family were eager to take care of her forever.
“I think what’s fantastic about this entire story is that not only did this dog get its forever home, but got the chance to go to a foster home, which we’re always searching for at our shelter, to become happy and healthy,” one of the shelter staff members, Bobby Mann, noted.
