ARGYLE (1080 KRLD) - A homeless dog known as Spencer just hit the jackpot. Thanks to an animal-loving North Texas fire chief, Spencer got a new name, a new home and a new mission in life.
On Saturday, the Argyle Fire District adopted Spencer from Flower Mound Animal Services. Now known as Blaze, he's found his forever home at Argyle Fire Station 513.
Station 513 recently lost its longtime fire dog, Smokey, and Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger says Blaze is the perfect successor. "I just think it's a great thing for the fire guys to do, to adopt a pet and take care of it. It's like they're home when they're gone from home. All of them have pets, so they're glad to do it," Hohenberger said.
Blaze was handpicked by Chief Hohenberger. According to Flower Mound Animal Services, he's a two-year-old English Bulldog. Hohenberger says the dog seems to have a trace of terrier or pit bull, as well. "Very precious little dog. Little patch over his eye, like Petey from 'Little Rascals,' for those who remember 'Little Rascals,'" he said.
Along with providing emotional support for his humans, Blaze will also be a part of everyday operations at Argyle's Station 513. "He'll actually go on calls with them. When they had Smokey and he heard the tones, he would jump up in the fire engine," Hohenberger said.
The chief is also challenging other area fire departments to give homeless animals a second chance. He said, "Fire departments can go and adopt one and bring it back to their station and let it give unconditional love to the firefighters when they come back from tragic calls."
Hohenberger said Blaze is already a hit with the community in Argyle. "On Saturday, when we got him there, there were several people wanting to see him. He had a lot of visitors on Sunday. When we picked him up on Saturday, Blaze was very, very happy."
The addition of Blaze means two of the three fire stations in Argyle now have dogs. Chief Hohenberger says Station 514, the city's newest, will be next to welcome a firefighter's new best friend.