Skip to main content
Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

California firefighters bring nearly dead dog back to life

In this photo provided by Bakersfield Fire Department shows firefighters resuscitating a Shih Tzu dog, named "Jack," after pulling him from a burning home, Friday, July 21, 2017, in Bakersfield, Calif. Using a pet oxygen mask donated to the department by a local Girl Scout troop, firefighters slowly bring Jack back to life. (John Frando/Bakersfield Fire Department via AP)
In this photo provided by Bakersfield Fire Department shows firefighters resuscitating a Shih Tzu dog, named "Jack," after pulling him from a burning home, Friday, July 21, 2017, in Bakersfield, Calif. Using a pet oxygen mask donated to the department by a local Girl Scout troop, firefighters slowly bring Jack back to life. (John Frando/Bakersfield Fire Department via AP)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) – A California fire department says a little white dog named Jack is recovering after firefighters rescued him from a burning home and brought him back to life.

In a video posted to the Bakersfield Fire Department’s website that has been widely shared online, firefighter Matt Smith is shown carrying the nearly lifeless Shih Tzu from the house on Wednesday.

Using a pet oxygen mask donated to the department by a local Girl Scout troop, Smith and his partners slowly bring Jack back to life.

By the end of the video, Jack is sitting up, alert and looking around, though panting heavily. He was then reunited with his worried owners, a married couple who were unharmed by the fire.

Jack suffered respiratory tract injuries and burns to his feet, but the dog was doing well on Friday after receiving extensive oxygen therapy, department spokesman John Frando said.