NEW ORLEANS — When a fire broke out at the Esplanade at City Park Thursday evening, the good news was no people were injured or lost their lives, but it was the picture on social media that stole people's hearts of first responders resuscitating a dog unconscious from smoke inhalation.
'Brees' is the dog in that photo. The Black Mouth Cur now rests in an oxygen chamber at MedVet New Orleans. He has burns on his cornea and airways, but is going to make it.
"I was going to freak out if I lost him," said owner Mark Grapes.
RELATED: 3-alarm fire at Esplanade apartment causes residents to evacuate
Brees, the black and gold dog named after Drew Brees because he was rescued around when the Saints won the Super Bowl, is alive because of team work by first responders. A New Orleans fire fighter found him while searching the building.
"So the guys grabbed the dog and on they way down, descending seven flights of stairs, they actually notified the companies downstairs to make sure that they have some kind of breathing apparatus to resuscitate the dog," said Terry Hardy, Sr., NOFD Deputy Chief of Safety.
RELATED: Barkus names king for 2019 parade
Unconscious because of carbon monoxide poisoning, New Orleans EMS revived Brees with CPR and oxygen and then jumped in the car with NOPD to rush him to MedVet in Metairie.
"The EMS guy jumped in the back to make sure the tank, the oxygen mask was on the dog's snout (and) it wasn't moving," said Senior NOPD officer Colin Eskine. Eskine did the driving.
Watch the video below to see how Dr. Clare Guichard, a veterinarian at Lakeview Veterinary Hospital demonstrates CPR on your pet with Molly-Ann, Meg Farris' Louisiana Catahoula.
"Lights, siren, the whole works. We were trying to get him there as quick as possible," said Eskine.
RELATED: Emotional support alligator named Wally comforts the elderly
His partner, rookie Anthony Lisgo had to physically jump out of the car to get traffic out of the way.
"At one point, one truck wouldn't move, so I ended up getting out of the car and knocking on his window, and I guess he didn't hear the lights and sirens and I moved him out of the way," said Lisgo.
The team effort paid off.
RELATED: New dog museum unleashed in New York
"Our moto is to save life and property, so saving lives, any lives," stressed Hardy.
"I thank them so much. I like, I cry all the time. So thankful. He's my everything. Really happy that they're there to help people," said Grapes, through tears.
If you would like to help with Brees' medical care: https://www.gofundme.com/fire-on-esplanade-mg