Make sure you have a box of tissues handy because you’re about to witness a heartwarming reunion.
Smokey, the dog, fondly remembers the vet who saved his life back in 2017 when he suffered severe burns in a brush fire.
Living in a homeless camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, Firefighters found poor pooch tied to a tree and howling in pain. He was being used as a guard dog, but his owner failed to free him before the fire rushed through.
Macros Orozca, the firefighter who cut the chain around the two-year dog’s neck, rushed him to the nearby Jupiter Pet Emergency and Specialty Center as quickly as he could.
“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.”
The pup, which the firefighters named Smokey, was treated by Dr. Latimer, who attended to severe burns on the dog’s back, torso, and hind legs. And while Smokey would require a lot more treatment, the pup eventually recovered.
The JPESC wrote about Smokey’s recovery 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.”
As time passed, Smokey began to warm up to his healthcare team and even got a few visits from the firefighters who saved him.
Fire Rescue Captain Gregg Gordon eventually decided to foster Smokey once he healed enough to leave the animal hospital. Best of all, the pup even got some new doggy siblings to play with.
And when Smokey went back in for a check-up about a week later, Gordon managed to capture on video the tearful reunion between Smokey and the vet who saved his life.
The second Dr. Latimer stepped into the exam room, Smokey jumped up and started yelping. The pup then ran over to the doctor and began covering him with kisses.
“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.
The pup’s gratitude is enough to turn on anyone’s waterworks. And Dr. Latimer was equally happy to see his patient.
Once his fostering was done, Smokey found his forever home after one of the other vets at the facility decided to adopt the pup. Dr. Katelyn Thomas, who had fallen in love with Smokey during his time at the hospital during his recovery, became his new mom.
Smokey, now renamed, “Fen,” jas been in his forever home going on two years, but fans still get updates on the JPESC Facebook page, including pictures of the pup engaging in his new favorite pastime, swimming!
But Fen/Smokey has never forgotten the vet who saved his life. In 2018, the duo was reunited again at the Peggy Adams Walk for the Animals, and their reunion was no less exciting.
Fen made a b-line for Dr. Latimer and proceeded to cover the vet with lots of wet kisses!
Fen’s a pup who knows exactly who to thank for his second chance at life.
You can watch the pair’s original tender reunion in the video below. But make sure to have a few tissues handy first, because you’re going to see the happiest and most grateful dog on earth pouring out his love.
Please be sure to share this beautiful moment with your friends and family.