A German shepherd puppy found during the Mendocino Complex Fire in California has been adopted by a Utah firefighter who helped battle the blaze, KSL reported.
Patrick Cullen was part of five members of the Draper Fire Department fighting the fire when he saw the puppy huddled under a tree, the television station reported.
Firefighters quickly bonded with the animal, which they named Mendo. The puppy was taken to the Mendocino Animal Shelter in Ukiah.
After the dog was neutered and given a clean bill of health, shelter officials said the puppy could be adopted. That’s when Cullen stepped up and volunteered to give Mendo a home if no one claimed the puppy, KSL reported.
When Mendo went unclaimed, shelter officials met Cullen on Sunday in Reno, Nevada.
"We know Mendo will help (Draper firefighters) heal," the shelter posted on Facebook.
The healing referred to the loss of Battalion Chief Matty Burchett, who was killed when he was hit by falling tree debris while fighting the Mendocino Fire.
After Burchett's death, the four remaining Draper firefighters were immediately sent home, KSL reported.
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