Dog owners know how much their pets love them.
Few pet lovers get to experience just how far their dogs will go to prove it.
But Twitter user Ulysses S. Cocksman shared his family’s heroic dog tale over the weekend. It was around midnight when their pooch, Hank, spotted a yard fire burning too close for comfort and barked enough to get their attention.
I want to tell you a story about Hank, and I want you to know that it has a happy ending. This is Hank 6 years ago. pic.twitter.com/YLXcJYAw9C
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
Hank was responsible for typical dog stuff.
Like ruining shoes.
My wife got a reminder yesterday that 6 years ago Hank ate her brand new slip on Vans. Look at that guilty pup. Come on, Hank.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
And barking at all hours.
But over the weekend, the midnight barking was cause for alarm.
Within a few hours of that reminder, at midnight last night, Hank started barking from the living room. My wife and kids were asleep, I was finishing up a movie in another room. Hank would not shut up.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
Something truly serious was going on.
So I dragged myself off the couch and went out to the living room to make him stop. As soon as I came around the corner, I saw that the entire yard was glowing orange.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
Hank was the best fire detector anyone could ask for.
The very large wooden work shed full of gasoline, paint and God knows what else was blazing. The oaks were on fire. Flaming leaves and embers were blowing everywhere.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
The Texas family called 9-1-1.
We got everyone up, 911 on the line, the whole family and both dogs out front in what felt like a few seconds. The fence and the neighbor’s shed went up like a torch. We were able to wake her up and get her kids and dog outside just as the fire crew got there.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
The fire was spreading.
The fire spread to the back of our house the same minute the firefighters got the hoses to it. A minute or two more, and it was gone. Instead, everyone is safe, and we still have a house. It’s black and crispy on one side, but it’s totally intact.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
“The firefighters were absolutely amazing,” Cocksman tweeted. “It was windy, so they had to contain and deal with this for two adjacent blocks. Just totally, unbelievably skilled and coordinated.”
With a big shout out to Hank.
So Hank. That dog.
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
And a reminder to check your smoke detectors — especially if you don’t have a Hank.
This is him today, 6 years after eating some shoes, 15 hours after saving our house and family. He can have all the shoes and steak he wants, and I will never get mad at him for barking, ever again. 15/10, the very best boy. pic.twitter.com/GsJYQKd9FA
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 23, 2019
Hank is truly one very good doggo.
The very best boy, indeed.
he’s asleep pic.twitter.com/JFOzcNA9iA
— Ulysses S. Cocksman (@USCocksman) March 25, 2019
Photo @USCocksman/Twitter