There’s no greater act of heroism than risking one’s life to save others. While many see this as extraordinary, for rescuers, police officers, and firefighters, it’s all in a day’s work.
Still, their courage never fails to inspire us, especially when it comes to saving defenseless animals like dogs.
That’s precisely what visitors at the Houston Botanic Garden in Texas witnessed when a tiny Chihuahua became trapped under a bridge spanning the Sims Bayou channel.
Thanks to the firefighter’s skill and dedication, the rescue was a success.
Her Lucky Day
Source: Houston Botanic Garden
On Friday, November 29, 2024, visitors at the Houston Botanic Garden spotted a tiny dog stranded on a concrete beam beneath a nearby bridge.
Concerned for the dog’s safety, they quickly alerted the garden staff, who wasted no time contacting two local Houston Fire Department stations for assistance.
“We love knowing that everyone and everything in and around the Garden is in good hands with these trained community helpers on the job,” the staff shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene, and without hesitation, one of them entered the water, swimming toward the concrete beam where the frightened dog was trapped.
Source: Houston Botanic Garden
As the firefighter reached the beam, the Chihuahua grew increasingly anxious, barking nonstop. When he got closer, the frightened dog panicked and leapt into the water, attempting to swim to the opposite side.
The onlooking visitors gasped and shouted in alarm, watching the drama unfold from a safe distance. Without hesitation, the firefighter plunged back into the water, swimming after the tiny dog. After a tense moment, he finally managed to scoop her into his arms, bringing the rescue to a successful conclusion.
Source: Houston Botanic Garden
According to KHOU, the rescue was far from easy. The nervous and stubborn Chihuahua bit the firefighter repeatedly as he held her in his arms, making it a challenging journey back to the shore.
A video shared on Facebook captures the tense moment, showing the tiny dog continuing to bark nervously at her rescuer, even after being safely brought to the coast.
Emotional Reunion
Source: Houston Botanic Garden
Despite the challenges, the Chihuahua, whose name was Burbie, was finally safe—a relief that brought joy to the firefighters and the onlooking visitors who had anxiously witnessed the rescue.
However, the mystery of how Burbie ended up on the beam, as well as her health condition, remained unanswered. Luckily, fate intervened in the form of Judy Hausler, a veterinary technician who happened to be present at the Houston Botanic Garden that day. Judy immediately offered to take Burbie home and work on reuniting her with her family.
According to KHOU’s follow-up report, Judy kept Burbie overnight and successfully located her family the next day. Reflecting on the moment, Judy shared her excitement: “It just worked out that I was there, and I said, ‘I’m going to take the dog, and I’ll find it a home.’”
The reunion turned out to be even more emotional than Judy had anticipated. “She was emotional here, because when they jumped out of the car and I had her in my arms, wrapped in this blanket I let her keep, they were all crying,” she recalled. The heartwarming moment was a testament to the power of compassion and community.
Source: KHOU
Burbie’s owners were overwhelmed with gratitude when their beloved furry friend was finally safe and back in their arms. Struggling to find the right words to express their emotions, one of them eventually said: “We are very grateful for the efforts of the first responders and everyone involved in helping us bring our baby home. I don’t think there’s anything we could possibly do to repay those efforts, but I will say that I am very grateful.”
The rescue also served as a wake-up call for the owners. Since Burbie didn’t have a microchip, which made it impossible to locate her during the four days she was missing, they vowed to take her to the vet the next day to ensure she was microchipped—making future reunions much easier should the unthinkable ever happen again.