'The Best Medic in the City' Revives Puppy

March 25, 2001 
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Captain Rick Romero of the Albuquerque Fire Department has been called "the best medic in the city".  There's a certain small, black-and-brown puppy that would probably agree.

This weekend a devastating fire broke out in the 500 block of San Pablo SE.  Children playing with matches and gasoline had accidentally started the blaze, and ran for help when they were unable to extinguish it with a garden hose.

Twenty-seven firefighters arrived on the scene and found "a tremendous amount of smoke and flame," said Battalion Chief Bobby Halton.  They found the children crying outside, indicating that there was a litter of newborn puppies inside.  The children had to be restrained to keep from running back into the house to save the dogs.

As many as seven or eight puppies did not survive, but rescuers were able to secure the 3 adult dogs and 4 puppies.  A fifth puppy, so young that its eyes were not yet open, was brought out no longer breathing.  That's when Capt. Romero took over.

"He's on a mission," said Chief Halton.

For over an hour, Capt. Romero held an oxygen mask on the tiny snout, alternating with other paramedics who continued to rub the puppy's body to stimulate its heart and lungs.

Several times the pup seemed to revive, but then stopped breathing again.

As the battalion succeeded in extinguishing the fire, the attention began to focus on the events transpiring inside the mobile paramedic unit, where Capt. Romero was busy at work.

Soot-covered firefighters crowded around the SUV up until the moment Capt. Romero removed the oxygen mask.  He revealed a fuzzy, yawning pup who soon fell asleep in a pile with his brothers and sisters.

The dogs have been taken to the Albuquerque Animal Services Department where they will be treated and made available for adoption (call 505-768-1935).

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