From Abandoned Pup to Brave Firehouse Dog
In late August, someone approached the FDNY Ladder 85 firehouse in Staten Island with a dog. They told someone working there that they could no longer take care of the dog and were looking to surrender her. The dog, later named Dolly, was very skinny, dehydrated and tired, and she showed signs of recently giving birth to a litter of puppies.
Given the circumstances, Dolly was surprisingly calm. She appeared nervous in her new surroundings, but it didn’t take long before she began to show everyone how loving she was, and that she just wanted affection. It turned out, she had all the makings of a wonderful firehouse dog.
“She basically just warmed up to everyone,” says Steven G., a firefighter at Ladder 85 firehouse, adding that Dolly has been extremely easy to take care of and has bonded with several of the crew members.
As with many dogs introduced to new environments, adopting Dolly wasn’t without its initial hurdles. Not knowing what she’d experienced in her previous home, she showed signs that indicated that she wasn’t used to having much freedom or going for walks outside, and she was initially quite timid. She also had some trouble eating at first. Over time, and with the help of some of New York’s bravest, these behaviors began to improve, and Dolly began to blossom even more..
Help From the ASPCA
The other hurdle that Steven and the firehouse faced after they adopted Dolly was finding an affordable place to have Dolly spayed. Thankfully, the rescue community in New York City proved to be a helpful resource for Steven and the other firefighters, leading them to the ASPCA.
“While at the Richmond County Fair, a member of the Animal Care Centers of NYC approached us and was able to help refer us to a member of the ASPCA,” Steven says. “We were able to get it done quickly.”
After Steven reached out about Dolly, the ASPCA Community Medicine team scheduled an appointment for her with our Mobile Spay & Neuter Clinic in early October. Steven brought her there after working a shift at the firehouse, and although she was a bit nervous, once he came back to pick her up, Dolly was very glad to see him!
According to Steven, the entire process went smoothly, and Dolly’s post-operative care went by without issue, as well. After the first day, she was already back to her usual self, and she didn’t even bother with the incision site. It’s now been a few weeks since her surgery, and the incision has healed nicely, and she couldn’t be a happier pup.
From being abandoned to becoming an adored member of the firehouse, these days, Dolly has settled in nicely as the firehouse dog with the Ladder 85 crew.
“The majority of the time, when we come back from a call, she is asleep in her bed and happy to see us return,” Steven says.
Share this page: