Butter, a stray dog from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, not only became a hero this week but was reunited with his family thanks to his efforts.
After a fire broke out in front of a neighborhood home, Butter warned the family inside. When the local fire department posted his photo to social media, his long-lost family recognized him.
This is dog karma at its absolute finest!
A Big Stone Gap Hero
(Stock Picture Credit: shaunl/Getty Images)It was just a regular night in this Big Stone Gap, Virginia neighborhood, reports WJHL.
Charity Golloway, and her two children, had already gone to bed for the night, when the fire broke out. The family had provided the stray pup a bit of shelter in front of their home with a heat lamp to keep him warm. Unfortunately, this is what started the fire.
With the close proximity of the shelter to the house, it didn’t take long for things to escalate.
Butter, knowing something was wrong, went to Golloway’s bedroom window and began barking like a mad dog on a mission. His barking let her know about the fire before any alarms went off.
“If it wasn’t for him, who knows what could’ve happened. It could’ve been way worse,” Golloway says. “I’m really grateful for that stray dog that wandered up into my yard.”
Golloway fully credits Butter for her family getting to safety, and for the fact that her home is still standing. “The flames just got big really fast,” Golloway recounts. “It’s overwhelming actually how fast it happened.”
Once alerted by Butter, Golloway’s son ran to their garden hose and used it to dampen the flames. Ultimately, the Big Stone Gap home sustained only minor damage, thanks to Butter.
Go, Go Puppy Karma!
When the Big Stone Gap Fire Department arrived, they were very impressed with Butter. The firefighters say that early notification makes all the difference, as a fire department can only get there so quickly.
“If it wasn’t for that dog, that house would’ve been lit up all throughout the ceiling, and we would’ve been there for hours fighting that house,” says firefighter Justin Stidham.
The department posted photos of him on their Facebook, which went viral. This allowed for Butter’s family, who had been looking for him all summer, to recognize him.
Butter’s name isn’t Butter at all — it’s Cooper!
“He’s going to be leaving us ,and that makes me want to cry, but I’m happy for him,” says Golloway. “We will be staying in touch.”
She also intends to make him a hearty steak before he leaves in gratitude.
This story serves as a reminder that we must take precautions against house fires and keep our pets safe. Items like space heaters can easily become fire hazards. Check out DogTime’s full guide to fire safety tips for pet parents here!
What do you think of this Cooper’s heroic actions? Would your dog warn you if a fire broke out at your home? Let us know in the comments below.
