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Dog Who Saved Owner Fights To Survive After Fire

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Jan 29, 2010 6:57 pm US/Eastern

Dog Who Saved Owner Fights To Survive After Fire

  Washington Co. Humane Society Accepts Donations For Coco

Reporting
Suzanne Collins
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― A tiny little dog with a great big bark is being credited with saving his owner's life.

Suzanne Collins explains while the pet owner suffered some burns, the puppy is barely alive.

Four-month-old Coco is being called a hero for alerting his owner to a fire. 

He is now inside an oxygen tent at a Hagerstown veterinary clinic. His lungs are badly singed from smoke. His breathing is labored breathing

"We're not sure he's going to make it. We certainly hope he's going to make it. He's doing just a little bit worse today, but that can be typical with smoke inhalation," said Dr. Diana Saxton, Cumberland Valley Animal Clinic.

Coco's master is a trucker who's recovering at Johns Hopkins Bayview from second-degree burns to his arms and face. They were injured in a fire at a rest stop along I-70.

It was about 3 a.m. Thursday when the truck caught on fire. The cab filled with smoke; the trucker was fast asleep. Then there was a loud alarm in the form of a very tiny little puppy.

Pet owner Tim Harris, proud of Coco, asked to speak to WJZ on the phone from his hospital bed. 

"He was jumping up and down on my chest taking his wet nose and nudging me and barking at me," said Harris. "In my eyes, he's a hero."

Harris says Coco was limp in his arms when they got out. He tried mouth to mouth. Nurses gave the trucker oxygen and the puppy too until the Humane Society got the chihuahua to an emergency clinic.
 
While the trucker is in this bind, the non-profit says it will do all it can for the dog.

"He's cute, cute, such a young age. He's had such a rough time already. We need to do what's right for him and make sure he's OK. That's why we're asking for the public's help," said Paul Miller, Washington Co. Humane Society.

Coco's recovery could take a long time.

"It can take days; it can take weeks for full recovery. It can take months to go from where he is now to 100 percent again," said Miller.

The Humane Society says the bills for Coco could rise to thousands of dollars.  Click here to help Coco.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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