New York firefighters said goodbye in January to a beloved mascot that helped the heroes of 9/11 live through their devastating losses of that tragic day.
Seven of the members of Ladder 20 died in the collapse of the World Trade Center. As condolences poured in from around the world, one gesture in particular had a lasting effect on the company. A pair of sheriffs from Rochester, New York showed up at the station one day and gave them a small dalmatian pup, which the firefighters named “Twenty”.
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Dalmatians are a traditional firehouse mascot, and Twenty was able to bring joy and laugher back to this badly wounded fire company. She also turned out to be a lot more– a healing presence that continued through 15 years of service.
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“I can’t say enough about what she did to help us,” FDNY Lieutenant Gary Iorio said on the FDNY Facebook page. “She went on all the runs, she’d jump in the truck, stick her head out the window and bark.”
“Today, Twenty has taken her final run to Heaven,” he added. “Rest in peace, man’s best friend.”
(WATCH the video tribute to Twenty below) — Photo: FDNY Facebook
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