MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A stray dog named Marie has captured the hearts of firefighters at Montgomery County’s Fire Station 81 after wandering into the station this fall.
Marie arrived without a collar but quickly became part of the crew’s daily routine. Firefighter Tyler Wilson said, “She’s just the first one that you see when you get here in the morning. Always happy to see you. Whenever you’re leaving, she makes sure you get to the truck okay.”
Marie waits patiently in the apparatus bay until the firefighters return. Fire Station 81 Chief Raymond Flannelly said, “This dog has truly stole the hearts of the firefighters and the medics.”
However, Marie recently suffered a setback. After running and jumping around as usual, she developed a limp that worsened throughout the day. It was discovered she had been hit by a car and suffered a broken leg.
Scans revealed a microchip linked to a former owner in California who has since moved to the area and cannot take her back. The fire station is now working to transfer ownership.
The surgery to repair Marie’s leg is expected to cost about $3,000, an expense the firefighters say is well worth it.
Flannelly noted the irony that the fire station has a no-dog policy, but “it didn’t take long to realize that the chief would be out, and the dog would be in.”
Marie is scheduled for surgery next Wednesday. The firefighters have already raised enough money for the procedure but hope to raise additional funds to purchase an electric fence to keep her safe from wandering into the street again. Any extra funds will be donated to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter.