Any type of injury can be difficult to manage but perhaps one of the most difficult involves being severely burned. It is something that can affect us physically for many years and it can leave behind emotional scars that are going to stick with us for years as well. Of course, it isn’t only humans that are facing this type of problem from time to time, because there are also some dogs that have been burned severely as well. It is tragic, but some of them have the opportunity to get through the issue.
That was the case was Smokey, a dog that was living in a homeless camp in West Palm Beach, Florida. When Smokey was found in 2017, he had been burned due to a brush fire. Firefighters that arrived on the scene found the dog tied to a tree and howling because he was in such pain. At the homeless camp, he was being used as a guard dog but when the fire started, nobody bothered to free Smokey from the tree.
Marcos Orozca was the firefighter that freed the dog by cutting the chain around his neck. He was rushed to the Jupiter Pet Emergency and Specialty Center as quickly as possible.
“The little guy was burned up pretty good,” the fire captain told The Palm Beach Post. “Even when we grabbed him, he was very distressed. I was concerned whether he would live.”
Smokey was fortunate enough to have a kind veterinarian that was willing to help. Doctor Latimer treated the severe burns on the hind legs and torso. Smokey would still need a lot of help, but he was well on his way.
The clinic wrote the following on Facebook:
“During the several weeks that he was with us at JPESC, Smokey received multiple blood transfusions (THANK YOU “Shadow”)!!! , daily baths and bandage/wrap changes. In addition, he received treatments in the hyperbaric chamber to help with reduction of swelling as well as pain from the multiple burns.”
Soon, Smokey was loving his healthcare team and the firefighters even came to visit.
Eventually, Smokey was proctored by Captain Gregg Gordon of the rescue team. The dog had healed enough and he even got some doggy siblings to keep him company.
When the dog came back for a checkup about a week later, workers took a video of the vet getting all the love he deserved from this dog.
As soon as Smokey walked into the exam room, he saw the vet and started yelping.
“As you can see, he is SO thankful for all of the care, love and treatments that he received during his time with us! Welcome back, Smokey!” JPESC wrote on YouTube.
It’s nice to see that the vet was getting the love he deserved.
Smokey was eventually adopted by another of the vets at the facility. He is now living the best life.
See the video for yourself here:
