The Firefighter's Best Friend: Lives and Legends of Chicago Firehouse Dogs

by Trevor J. Orsinger

"Wherever you find a firehouse, you will likely find a firedog or a story of one." Working dogs are an often-overlooked segment of the canine population. The Firefighter’s Best Friend provides a rare look into a specific type of these dogs—those who have lived or currently live in the firehouses of Chicago. From the mutts in the 1870s who led the horse-drawn fire wagons, to citywide heroes, to the contemporary dogs that provide security, assistance, and companionship to today’s firefighters, the history and lore of Chicago firedogs is as rich as the city’s cultural heritage. Whether at a fire, in the firehouse, or on the public relations circuit, these mascots play an important role in the day-to-day functioning of the Chicago Fire Department. They climb ladders, sound the alarms, fight fires, save children, break up fights, roll hose, exterminate vermin, protect property, and donate blood. And these public servants can play as hard as they work. . . playing basketball, visiting taverns and ballparks, socializing with neighborhood dogs, starring in the news, dining in style, and even hopping rides on the "L" and buses all by themselves. Trevor Orsigner and Drew Orsinger take readers on a tour of Chicago firehouses in their quest to document the lives and legends of every known Chicago firedog past and present. As seen in Dog & Kennel and Animal Fair magazines, and in the popular Dogs with Jobs television series. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance "I Am Me Camp" for children who have been hospitalized for burn injuries, a cause near to the hearts of Chicago firefighters.

Genres: Dogs

163 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice concept, document all the fire station dogs in the Chicago area. The concept was to make a nice coffee table book with lots of pictures. Maybe there is a hardback version out there, but what I got was a big floppy paperback, and I don't like big floppy paperbacks. It is market research said people wouldn't pay for the fancy coffee table book so they opted for the cheap version. But the old pictures are nice, especially the horse drawn carrierages.

The book is Organized around the following chapters:
* Chicago Firedog in History
* The life of the Chicago Firedog
* Legends of the City
* North Side Firedogs
* West Side Firedogs
* South Side Firedogs

Then indexes of a) Chicago Firedogs by Firehouse, and b) Chicago Firedogs by Firedog Name.

So imagine a nice short story about a Firedog, running into the building before or with the firemen, (yah, some did that), protecting the rig and the station, being the mascot and in parades, and getting lasting tributes when they cross the rainbow bridge. If you are like me you would be interested in reading that type of story. But reading like a 100 stories like that? It got to be a bit much. All different kinds of dogs, Dalmatians, St. Bernard's, Dobermans, Shepherds, and a lot of mixes. Lots of dog names that served noble purposes and deserve to be honored and remembered. Unfortunately, it just go to be too much and I did some skimming to move it along faster. Many succumb to dangers in the neighborhood (hit by cars, sometimes run over by the fire rig, stabbed or shot or stolen, (it is Chicago), and on the job with smoke and electrocution from water and electricity. A firedogs life and legacy are worthy but best taken in small sits when picked up from the coffee table.

[Jordan Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing and poignant homage to the courage, sacrifice and loyalty of some of the Windy City's Bravest Firehouse Dogs! From a brave and daring Shepherd/mix named Felix to valiant firehouse dogs going above and beyond the call of duty to rescue civilians and firefighters in harm's way; this book has stories that will make you laugh, cry and be totally awe-struck by the spirit of man's best friend. Chronicling events that one would only expect to see in a movie. The stories highlighted in this book are not fiction they are real and gripping. A must-read for firefighters and civilians alike! If you're a fan of the firehouse dog "Pouch" on the NBC Drama series "Chicago Fire" then this book is for you.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really cute stories, but also some really tedious history. Still, mostly fun.