They say a dog’s work is never done, and that goes doubly so for a police dog. A family’s German shepherd, a retired K-9 named Maxx, led firefighters through heavy smoke to the two small children that were trapped inside their blazing home, saving their lives.
“We were outside with my telescope, looking at Jupiter with my next door neighbor,” neighbor Chip Dover told TODAY Parents. “We were getting ready to come in when we heard a big explosion, and the house just blew up. We ran over there immediately and it was burning like crazy, and then we realized the family was still inside.”
Using furniture on the porch, they broke the front windows of the Longwood, Florida home belonging to military veterans Margo and Brent Feaser.
“One of the neighbors saw an occupant in one of the rooms and picked up a table and smashed through the window, all the windows acutally, and pulled the woman to safety,” Seminole Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma told News 13.
“The employee [Margo, an auto theft investigator], when she initially came out, her primary concern was to get back inside and rescue her children. She is an absolute trouper. She is a hero within our organization, and her actions tonight demonstrated that behavior.”
Firefighters arrived moments later and pulled Brent to safety. But his four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter were still inside, along with Maxx. The heroic dog led firefighters through the smothering smoke to the children’s bedroom.
All of the family members, including Maxx, were taken to various hospitals for treatment of their serious to critical conditions, but all are expected to recover.
“We are grateful to the neighbors who jumped into action, and we especially thank the firefighters who selflessly entered the burning structure and risked their lives for the Feaser family,” said Sheriff Don Eslinger.
“There is a long road of recovery and rebuilding ahead, but our Sheriff’s Office family will be with Margo and her family every step of the way. We know our community is behind them too, and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support the family has received.”
A fundraiser has been set up to help the Feaser family cover their medical costs and find a new home. If you would like to donate, please click here.
Checks and money orders may be made out to “Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Employee Benevolent Fund” and sent to 100 Bush Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773, attention: “Feaser Family Fund.” Anyone with questions is asked to call 407-665-6880.
Melissa Mindar <3
Armando Guerrero
Good boy! Beautiful dog
What. A dog Great job !!
Good Maxx!
I loved the heart stickers on his cast, what a hero 🙂
Excellent job!!!
A soldier…never off duty 👍👌
Hero! Great job Maxx!
A Very Brave Beautiful Dog. Good Job.
Dogs are Awesome! ❤️
Love that…💝
Nice story bad compositional journalism.
Tremendous
David D. Wentworth
Way to go, Maxx!! Nothing like the love of a German Shepherd.
Heroes come in all forms!!
Alison Fogarty 🐕🐾
ShadowK9 your handy work??
Michael Kynoch
He deserves a medal..well done Maxx
That’s awesome!
Bloody good dog
Champ
Kevin 😭 Francesca
Tiffany Gaskins
Way to go Maxx. Even when they are retire they never actually stop helping and protecting.
That is one special dog.
Lan Thu
I wonder what caused the explosion?
I was wondering the same.
Shepherd are the best and the brightest (and also the sweetest)!
That’s a good boy Maxx ❤️🐾❤️
Beautiful boy – well done
Annie West
Always on duty even tho retired
Hero!💜💜💜
Yay… Way to go 🤗🤗🤗☺️☺️
A Hero youn are Maxx. Well done
Hero!
💗
Well done maxx
Oh good boy, such a good working boy; biscuits and toys all around!
Animals are amazing!!!
A real Hero💖💖💖💖💖💖
Even though retired but still know what responsibility is.
Hero…….. you are the best
Good job maxx!!!!
Heroic dog.
Another reason for the quote I so proudly use, “Where Angels Fear to Fly, K9 Leads the Way!” Well done Heroic 4 Legged Brother! Thank you and gratitude also to our heroic firemen!!! God Bless you all!
Great job max
Hero!
Awsome
Hero 😍
What a hero
DOGS ROCK!
Amazing!!!
They are the best and so good with kids 🙂 have 3 and would never own another breed 🙂
Micah Patrick
Great story
God bless you, Maxx!! Smart and loyal dog. They have our backs every day
Great dog, always on the job.
Maxx the Hero
God bless this brave, heroic dog!
Sean Comerford good baby dog
like soldiers, public service members including fire fighters and police never really retire..neither do police dogs! Heros are for life.
This was on my stepson to be’s area in Longwood where Jewel lived in Florida. All still in serious condition.
Is anyone else having problems opening pages from Life With Dogs. I keeps closing down on me on my desktop.
Love !!!!!!
Bravo Maxx!
Good Boy, Max !!
Top dog a true hero
HERO!!!!
At least they never worked him to death like the workers in Chile
Well done!!!!!
Prayers for healing . Thank God for Maxx! He’s a true blue hero
That’s a good looking pig. Smart too.
That’s a good boy!!!!! 🙂 HERO!
Great story
Thanks to the dog who’s only semi-retired.
Risa Erb
What a Boss!!! I love German Shepherds!!!!!!
WOOF!
Who’s a good boy?!!!
thanks xx
Of c ourse! Animals rule, teach us how to be the best we can.
Good dog!
S shanu.. thats me.. a soldier
Already shared, awesome story!
Dogs are the BEST
And German Shepherds are on the list for BSL at some rental properties and insurance… Doesn’t make sense
Jay Luckman not ur max? 😂
What a wonderful, beautiful DOG!!
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