He’s only 3 months old, but already Smokey knows too much about fire rescue.
Last month the golden retriever was one of dozens of animals and birds, including eight puppies, saved by firefighters, police and bystanders when a blaze destroyed Terry’s Aquarium and Pet Center.
Today he is the Lansing Fire Department’s pride and joy. Firefighters adopted Smokey and are training him to make appearances in schools. If all goes well, Chief Kenneth Myers said, Smokey might become an arson investigator.
“He stole our hearts,” Myers said.
Although Smokey is a puppy, retired K-9 Corps Officer Tony Perovich is training the dog to work with handlers and do tricks such as “stop, drop and roll.” Subsequent arson training would include learning to sniff out accelerants and chemicals used to start fires.
The idea to adopt Smokey came after he appeared on a television news program, Myers said. When he saw the shaking, just-bathed puppy staring out on his TV screen, Myers knew he was in love.
Firefighters voted overwhelmingly to purchase Smokey. But Terry Haley, owner of the pet store at 3642 Ridge Rd., refused to take a dime for the pooch. Smokey, he told the firemen, would be his gift of gratitude to them for risking their lives as the fire raged to save as many animals as they could.
Besides, Haley said, “what a great thing to have a puppy that was saved from the store have a home with the Fire Department.”
Smokey is the Lansing department’s first firedog since its German shepherd Heidi completed a 12-year career in 1985. Smokey was the last of the eight rescued puppies to be adopted. The remaining rescued mammals and birds also have found homes.
As for Haley, he said last week that he would rebuild the store as soon as all of the proper permits are secured.
