If you’re a police officer or firefighter, you’ll often have to take risks in your everyday life. Being a police officer or firefighter requires you to be brave but at the same time smart and decisive in taking action because facing danger will become part of your normal work routine.
That is why aspiring police officers and firefighters go through rigorous training to ready themselves for the dangers they’ll face. And their services are not limited to only helping humans — there are also moments where they put their lives on the line to save animals.
One rookie firefighter rushed to save a drowning dog after receiving a call.
In July 2017, Miami Beach Fire Rescue received a call for help, notifying them that a dog was found struggling to swim in the waters of Biscayne Bay.
It was on a Thursday, around 10 a.m. when Jose Ruiz realized his Shar-Pei and Rottweiler mix, Junior, was missing.
The poor owner immediately sprinted back home and took his car to look for his poor dog.
He even posted fliers and photos of his dog on social media hoping to find some help. Fortunately, without Ruiz knowing, a kind citizen already notified their local fire station that he had spotted a dog on the water.
Engine 4 received an animal rescue call & Firefighter Emilio Sanchez Hoy jumped in the water to rescue the dog off in the bay! 👏🏽🐶 pic.twitter.com/eimc0JIwXm
— Miami Beach Fire (@MiamiBeachFire) July 27, 2017
Emilio Sanchez and his team rushed to the scene where they found the poor dog paddling for his life 25 yards away from them. Reporters saw Sanchez unhesitatingly diving into the water to get the dog out of the water.
They captured the heroic moment of Sanchez carrying the big dog on his shoulders.
He swam back to his buddies who prepared a backboard for the dog to climb.
“He was very exhausted, just by the way he was breathing, and he was already barely able to keep his head up out of the water,” Sanchez shared with Miami-based newspaper WPLG.
It was truly miraculous that they reached the scene on time and saved Junior’s life.
He’s now back with his loving owner and home.
An hour after the heart-pounding rescue, Junior was sent to the local City Hall where he got to reunite with his owner. Miami Beach Fire tweeted a clip of their reunion, where Ruiz hugged his dog as he sobbed with joyful tears seeing Junior again in his arms.
Everyone was relieved to see Junior finally safe and sound. The family expressed their heartfelt gratitude for rescuing their beloved dog.
Sanchez’s heroic act was witnessed worldwide.
Photos and videos of Sanchez’s brave actions circulated on the internet. Sanchez received lots of attention and compliments from the people who appreciated his efforts. Despite being put into the spotlight, Sanchez humbly told everyone that it was all part of his job.
The dog is safe and sound! 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/kEzf12Z8uM
— Miami Beach Fire (@MiamiBeachFire) July 27, 2017
He expressed his opinion regarding the event in his perspective as a firefighter by saying,
“Any life is important in the eyes of the fire department here, It’s all in the line of duty.”
His wise words were indeed fitting for all the firemen, and for all those whose jobs require them to put their lives on the line.
Let’s just hope that he will be a shining example to everyone pursuing this kind of profession.
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