08/01/2026
Last night at 2:00 a.m., we had a meeting in Summersville with a very heavy agenda.
The gentleman standing beside me is the husband of the woman who was involved in the motor vehicle accident on Mercer Springs Road Thursday. The dog he is holding, Snowball, was one of the dogs we rescued from the wreck. Through tears in his eyes, he was overjoyed to have Snowball back in his arms.
The lady in the pink shirt also received Bella, the dog that sadly did not survive the accident. They both knew these dogs well. There were many tears shed, as we learned that this husband and wife never had children—their dogs, Snowball and Bella, were their family.
Even in the middle of his own grief, Snowball’s owner made a generous donation to our animal rescue program. That act of kindness speaks volumes about his character.
The woman injured in Thursday’s wreck still has a long road to recovery ahead of her. After sharing a few stories together, we said our goodbyes and headed home. They still had a seven-hour drive ahead of them, and members of Athens Fire Department had already spent five hours on the road through heavy fog to help reunite this family with their beloved dogs.
It was a journey filled with tears of sadness, tears of joy, and heartfelt gratitude.
They want to extend their sincere thanks to Athens Fire & Rescue for going above and beyond. Moments like these remind us that every life matters—even our four-legged victims. They are loved deeply, and they deserve the same compassion and care we give everyone else.
To all of our brothers and sisters in the fire and rescue service, thank you for everything you do. Stay safe, and may God bless each and every one of you.
