Pet Dog Saved From Burning Spanaway Home

SPANAWAY, WA — One Pierce County dog will be wagging his tail for many years to come, thanks to some fast-acting first responders.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, their deputies on Thursday were called to a home on fire near the intersection of 144th St S and Pacific Ave S, not far from their Parkland-Spanaway Precinct.

When PCSD Deputy Dech arrived at the scene, witnesses told her that a resident of the home was trying to get back inside to save his beloved dog, Pookey. As flames erupted from the home, Dech dissuaded the man from risking his life, consoling him while waiting for firefighters to arrive.

"Deputy Dech showed the courage our deputies have to put themselves in danger to help others," the department said. "She also showed compassion by comforting the resident during what must have been the longest minutes of his life."

Fortunately, firefighters showed up not long after, rushed the home and quickly found Pookey, alive and relatively unharmed. Pookey had to be given oxygen as treatment against smoke inhalation, but otherwise was totally fine and is expected to live a long, healthy life.