SCANDIA, Minn. — A family north of the metro is feeling grateful after a devastating house fire last month.
The family can’t live there at the moment, but at least they have their best friend with them.
Nate Meidl and partner Katie Faragher were out running errands on Oct. 26 when they received a frantic call from a neighbor.
“They said there’s smoke coming from your home,” recalled Meidl.
Meidl and Faragher rushed home only to find a dozen first responder vehicles in their front yard, and M Health Fairview EMS working on their dog, Pearl.
“She was not doing well,” said Steven Greenhow.
Greenhow was attempting to give the limp Pearl oxygen, but the mark didn’t fit. So Washington County Sheriff Deputies Alec Zachrison and Greg Reiter improvised.
“We heard something about a cup,” said Zachrison. “We’re like, we might have a cup in our squad.”
“I put some tape on the end of the McDonald’s cup and it started willing with oxygen,” said Zachrison.
It was Tim O’Neill with Scandia Fire and Rescue, who brought out the limp pup. He also found their cat, Behr.
“Tim came out with our kitty cat, like just bursting through the front door,” said Meidl. “Holding her with both hands. Did everything they could. It was too late for the kitty, but we have Pearly.”
“The biggest thing I want to come out of this is just to let the public know how hard our first responders work, and to make sure they get recognized for the heroism they do every day, not just with saving Pearl.” said Faragher. “Every single day they help people and change lives.”
Faragher and Meidl watched as Pearl ran around the M Health Fairview EMS, where all the agencies gathered to meet the pup.
“We see a lot of bad stuff being first responders,” said O’Neill. “And to get just this little bit of good, I guess that’s the reason you know that we do it.”
Faragher and Meidl are raising money for Pearl’s medical expenses. To learn more, click here.
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