Firefighter and Firedog Salute

9 firefighters were killed in South Carolina late last evening, protecting lives and property.

My youngest brother is a Firefighter/Paramedic in Chicago, Illinois. An additional 3 brothers and 1 sister are police officers. When these type of tragic events occur, I can't help but think of all of them and feel some anxious dread in my belly and heart. For them, for us, for the families who will always know an empty place at the dinner table. Many days, my brother's firehouse duties are rather mundane, time spent in preparation and maintenance of equipment(just as Good Scouts do!) But, when that code buzzer blares, off they fly in an adrenaline rush of controlled chaos. And God only knows what they will find in answer to that call. His station does not have a mascot, but a number of Firehouses do. Firedogs are used today for Search and Rescue, Bomb sniffing, Arson investigation, companionship. The history of firedogs, as well as firefighting, is rich and often poignant. Today, to help the children feel a little better after they saw the news headlines about the tragedy in S.C., we looked at the history of firedogs. You might enjoy reading it too! Being children, whenever a news item appears about firefighters or police officers being injured or killed in the line of duty, they automatically ask about their uncles and aunt, not always really understanding the wide geographic region in which we live. :o)

From the Wooster, Ohio, "Firedog Lady"
FIREDOG LADY

How did that spotty black and white dog known as a Dalmatian come to be associated with fire fighting? Dalmatians have been around for about 600 years. So, to understand how the Dalmatian became the number-one firehouse mascot in England and the United States, we must take a long look back in history. The exact time and location of the dog's origin are unknown. However, because Dalmatians appear in an Italian wall painting dated about 1360 A.D. and because these spotted dogs were named after Dalmatian, an Adriatic coastal region, one may assume that they originated somewhere in this area. But, it wasn't until 1780 when the name "Dalmatian" was used in the English language. Weighing 25 to 55 pounds (11 kg to 52 kg) and standing 19 to 23 inches (450 mm to 377 mm) high, the Dalmatian was the perfect size to serve as a coach dog. (In fact, in Great Britain, Dalmatians are still nicknamed "English coach dogs" and "plum pudding dogs.")

The Dalmatian is a very physical breed, with a strong, muscular body, and able to run great distances without tiring. The Dalmatian also has what seems to be a natural calming effect on horses. This trait about the breed was seen very early on, and soon the Dalmatian was identified with horses. Possibly horse mounted warriors or hunters first used the breed in their activities. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries when the mode of travel was by horse or by carriage, the Dalmatians became a society dog, and trained to run along side women's carriages. They became known as Coach dogs or Ladies dogs because of this. In fact, the term coaching is referring to how the Dalmatian will take up position just off the side and towards the rear of a horse and run with them.

In the 1700's, Dalmatians were used to protect horses that pulled English stagecoaches. Typically two Dalmatians would run next to the horses as they pulled the coach. When other dogs tried to run out and scare the horses, the Dalmatian team would chase them away. Over the years, Dalmatians formed a close bond with horses. During this time, horse theft was very common. Because of the potential for theft, stagecoach drivers would typically sleep in a hammock strung between two stalls where they would watch for thieves. However, because of the bond between the Dalmatians and the horses, the driver could sleep in a hotel or house if he owned a Dalmatian. Why? Because the Dalmatians would sleep with the horses and guard against horse theft. It is during the era of horse drawn fire apparatus that the Dalmatian becomes forever tied to the Fire Service. These fire house horses were required to spend hours at a time at a fire scene, or hours inside the fire house waiting for a call, and despite many disbeliefs, these fire house horses were not broken down old hags, but fine spirited horses. The Dalmatian became the horses’ pet as it were, to help keep them calm. There are many reports and stories of seeing a fire team rushing to the scene of a call, with a Dalmatian or two running between the horse teams.

Once on the scene of the call, the Dalmatian took over as guard dog, insuring that nothing was stolen from the apparatus. The Dalmatian is a very loyal breed to its owners, and an admirable foe when challenged. Because of the dog/horse bond, the Dalmatian easily adapted to the firehouse in the days of horse-drawn fire wagons. Since every firehouse had a set of fast horses to pull the pumper, it became common for each group of firefighters to keep a Dalmatian in the firehouse to guard the firehouse and horses. When the alarm came in, the Dalmatian led the way for the horse-drawn pumper. In this way, the Dalmatian became the firefighters' companion and a symbol of the fire service.

Today, Dalmatians are still found in many firehouses in England, Canada, and the United States. Because of this loyalty, the Dalmatian continued in the Fire Service once the horses were replaced with mechanical apparatus. Today, in many large cities, the Dalmatian is the guard dog of the fire truck while at the scene of fires and rescues. In its long history in the Fire Service, there are also reports of how the Dalmatian has rescued trapped firefighters or victims. Overall, the Dalmatian is a brave and valiant dog.

So, calling a person a "dog" soldier, dog face, dog anything is a Great Honor! That image applied to a person, stands for the "foot soldiers," the grunts, the worker bees, the cogs in a society that are crucial to function. For without the "dogs," cities, societies, cultures - would crumble. One day, we will have a culture that values these brave and tenacious men, women, and dogs more than rock stars, movie stars, and T.V. CEOs.

My little brother - Firefighter/Paramedic - Chicago, Illinois:

Chicago Fire Academy photo

On the job (rear to front :o) )

Who's up for a fun blog challenge?

At some time over the next couple of months, could you pay honor to a person or group that functions as a "cog" in our Culture, our Society? The person who fills the jelly doughnuts, the one who awakens at 3 a.m. to brew carry-out coffee, the ticket collector on the local commuter train, the teacher assistants, the nurse assistants, the people who trim our hair and make us feel like a million, the little man who is up with the birds to spread seed for them in deep Winter, you get the idea ;o) This could be fun and I'm very sure that we each have a story to tell about someone who touched our lives and hearts, in some unexpected moment, giving us a refreshed outlook and hope in some dark moment. I would so love to read about those people and your experiences!

Best and xo,

Tink