National Fire Pup Day

This day is used to honor our four legged firefighters. Firehouse dogs have a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of firefighting. In the 1700s and 1800s, firefighting was a dangerous and difficult job, with firefighters often working long hours in hazardous conditions. To help keep firefighters company and boost morale, dogs were brought into firehouses as mascots and companions. One of the earliest recorded firehouse dogs was a Dalmatian named "Smokey" who served with the fire department in New York City in the late 1800s. Dalmatians were a popular breed of firehouse dog due to their natural affinity for horses, which were commonly used to pull firefighting equipment at the time. Firehouse dogs had a variety of roles beyond just providing companionship. They were often trained to assist firefighters in a variety of ways, such as alerting them to danger, helping to pull hoses, and even rescuing people from burning buildings. Some firehouse dogs became famous for their bravery and heroism, such as "Nipper" the dog who saved dozens of lives during the London Blitz in World War II. Today, firehouse dogs are less common than they were in the past, due in part to advances in firefighting technology that have made the job less hazardous. However, many fire departments still keep dogs as mascots and companions, and some dogs are even trained to assist in search and rescue operations.