Thanks to the prompt actions of firefighters, a dog who was caught by the raging Eaton Fire near Pasadena has been given another chance at life.
First responders, a dog rescue owner, and a photographer worked together to ensure the pup survived the fire.
Photographer Gabe Cortez discovered a puppy barking close to a house while he was covering the historic fires in Los Angeles. The shy dog growled and stayed in its yard while firefighters sprayed water on surrounding properties.
Cortez assisted in getting in touch with Whittier Dog Club owner Chris Abkarian. When Abkarian got on the scene, he was able to persuade the dog to let him wear a leash as first responders attended to the fire.
“Max,” the dog, was saved from the fire and taken to the Whittier dog club.
“If it wasn’t for us to come and rescue him, who knows what would have happened,” Abkarian stated.
Abkarian praised the first responders and Cortez for acting to ensure the dog’s survival. He claimed that in order to assist them, he gave up everything he was doing.
“I just went right toward it, without hesitation,” Abkarian remarked.
The dog was moved away from the fire and toward safety as the Eaton Fire raged, destroying hundreds of properties.
“When we got there it was just black smoke and fires everywhere,” Abkarian stated. “The whole scene was apocalyptic and awful. Houses were catching fire.
According to Abkarian, Max came dangerously close to death when he was saved from his yard as the neighbor’s property burned down.
“He was scared and nobody could get him because he was trapped inside this front yard,” Abkarian stated.
Abkarian placed the dog in a kennel at the Whittier Dog Club after removing him from the fire area. Max went there to join a number of other canines who had been saved from the fires or taken to temporary refuge by fire-displaced owners.
According to Abkarian, he wants to know what Max saw before being saved by strangers.
“You have no idea what was going through his head. The smoke and the soot were absurd. Abkarian stated, “As you can imagine, dogs have a thousand times more scent glands.”
Abkarian said the photos Cortez captured have helped give animals a voice during this fire, even though Max is unable to tell his tale.
“One thing Max brought us was our voice,” described Abkarian.
When Max’s pictures became viral online, a group of people who wanted to support furry pals took notice.
Since Max’s tale went viral, Whittier Dog Club co-owner Sasha Galperin said the organization has received a tonne of donations from the local community.
“They have provided us with toys, snacks, and treats. “All of this will be used to save our lives,” Galperin declared.
“In a time of devastation it is amazing how the community has come together,” Abkarian stated.
Galperin, who is crying, expressed her admiration for the way the entire Los Angeles region has united to provide food, toys, and even blankets to animals affected by the fires.
“I’m grateful, Whittier. Los Angeles, thank you,” Galperin added. “The way the city of Los Angeles is coming together, it is overwhelming.”
Some stated they were not shocked to see a dog uniting people during times of conflict and anguish.
“It’s just a showcase of humanity’s ability to help each other in a time of need,” Galperin stated.
Whittier Dog Club representatives stated that they have communicated with Max’s owners and are figuring out what to do next.