A six-year-old Shetland Sheepdog named Milo is recovering at home after firefighters rescued him from a smoke-filled house in Pasadena, California. The rescue, which was reported by ABC7, highlighted the fast response of several local fire agencies as well as the importance of calling emergency services quickly when smoke or fire is suspected in a home.

Milo was alone inside the residence when smoke began filling the house. His family had gone out to run errands, while his owner, Fernando, was traveling outside the country. A delivery person passing by reportedly noticed smoke coming from the property and heard a dog barking inside. The person called 911, helping set in motion an emergency response that ultimately led firefighters to Milo.

The incident was a reminder that home fires can become dangerous within minutes, including for pets that cannot leave a building on their own. Fire officials and animal welfare organizations regularly encourage residents to include pets in household emergency plans, keep identification current, and make sure responders are aware that animals may be inside.

Firefighters Respond to Smoke-Filled Pasadena Home

Firefighters from Pasadena, Arcadia and Sierra Madre responded to the scene after the emergency call. Video captured by a Ring doorbell camera showed Arcadia firefighters breaking a front-side window as crews worked to gain access to the home and assess conditions inside.

Firefighters must move carefully in smoke-filled environments, where visibility can be extremely limited and the layout of a home can be difficult to navigate. In this case, the sound of Milo barking initially helped confirm that a dog was inside. As conditions changed, however, the barking could no longer be heard from outside or within the home.

Sierra Madre firefighter Jessica Johnson entered the residence to search for Milo. Johnson, who was in her second year as a firefighter, told ABC7 that the call was her first active house fire response. Her search involved repeated entries into the home as crews worked through the limited visibility caused by heavy smoke.

Thermal imaging cameras can be an important search tool for firefighters. These devices detect differences in heat rather than relying on visible light, allowing responders to identify people, animals, or areas of elevated temperature when smoke makes ordinary sight ineffective. Johnson used a thermal imaging camera while searching the residence.

After entering the home three times, she found Milo in the living room beneath a table near the front window. The dog was difficult to see amid the smoke and had become unresponsive. Johnson carried him outside, where other firefighters were ready to begin emergency care.

“I barely could see him. I just kind of picked him up, brought him outside, and realized you could feel how limp he was,” Johnson told ABC7.

Milo Receives Emergency Oxygen After Smoke Inhalation

Milo had reportedly been inside the smoke-filled home for at least eight minutes. He was unconscious when firefighters brought him outside, and crews immediately used an animal oxygen mask to support his breathing. Pet oxygen masks are designed to fit the faces of animals and can be used by trained responders during emergencies involving smoke exposure.

Smoke inhalation can affect both people and animals because fire smoke may contain carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and other harmful substances. Even when flames are limited or not visible, smoke can make breathing difficult and may reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the body. Veterinarians generally advise that pets exposed to smoke receive prompt professional evaluation, since some respiratory effects may not be immediately apparent.

According to the account shared with ABC7, Milo did not initially respond during efforts to revive him. Firefighters continued providing oxygen for several minutes. Then, he began to show signs of recovery and rolled over. Although he was covered in soot and dust, he was alive and able to continue receiving care.

For Milo’s family, the rescue unfolded while they were rushing back to the house. They did not know at first whether he would survive. Learning that he had responded to emergency care brought enormous relief, particularly after they saw how quickly he began returning to his usual behavior.

The family later said Milo had a mild cough and was scheduled for a follow-up veterinary appointment. They also reported that he was running and playing again at home. His veterinarian expected him to make a full recovery, according to the family’s account.

Why Smoke Exposure Requires Veterinary Follow-Up

Animals recovering after a smoke-related emergency may appear improved soon after reaching fresh air, but veterinary follow-up remains important. A veterinarian can assess breathing, heart rate, oxygenation, eye irritation, and other potential effects of smoke exposure. The appropriate care depends on the animal’s symptoms, medical history, and the circumstances of the exposure.

Pet owners should seek urgent veterinary guidance if an animal has been exposed to fire smoke or shows signs such as coughing, difficulty breathing, unusual tiredness, weakness, disorientation, eye irritation, or changes in gum color. Owners should not assume that a pet is safe simply because it is able to walk or act normally shortly after an incident.

Emergency planning can also make a meaningful difference before a crisis occurs. The American Red Cross recommends including pets in household evacuation planning, keeping leashes and carriers accessible, and posting a pet alert sticker or other notice to help inform responders that animals may be inside. Families may also consider arranging an emergency contact who can reach the home if the primary owner is away.

A Meaningful Reunion With the Firefighters

Several days after the rescue, Milo returned to meet the firefighters who had helped save him. The reunion gave his family an opportunity to thank the crews from Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre. They brought custom shirts featuring Milo’s smiling face for the firefighters.

The visit was especially meaningful for Johnson, whose search had located Milo beneath the table. She described the outcome as emotional while emphasizing the importance of continuing to do the job during an active emergency.

“I shed a little bit of a tear but, you know, you’ve got to keep it professional and continue to do my job,” Johnson said. “I did my job, and it came out successful, came out rewarding.”

Milo’s rescue also reflects the collaborative nature of many emergency responses in Southern California. Mutual aid between nearby departments can provide additional personnel, equipment, and specialized capabilities when an incident requires a rapid, coordinated effort. In this case, firefighters from multiple cities worked at the scene while Milo’s family made their way home.

Pet Fire Safety Tips for Families

Milo’s experience has resonated with pet owners because many households regard animals as family members. While every emergency is different, preparation can help reduce confusion and save time. Fire departments, disaster-response organizations, and veterinary professionals commonly recommend several basic safety measures.

• Make an evacuation plan: Decide in advance who will collect each pet, where carriers and leashes are stored, and where the family will meet after leaving the home.
• Keep identification current: Ensure collars, tags, microchip information, and recent photographs are up to date in case a pet becomes separated from the household.
• Use pet alert information: A visible pet alert decal or sign can notify responders that animals may be inside, though residents should never re-enter a burning or smoke-filled building themselves.
• Practice leaving safely: Pets may hide during alarms, loud noises, or unfamiliar activity. Practicing how to locate and transport them can make evacuation more efficient.
• Maintain smoke alarms: Working smoke alarms are a central part of home fire safety. Test alarms regularly and replace batteries or equipment according to manufacturer guidance.
• Contact a veterinarian after smoke exposure: If a pet has been in a smoky environment, emergency veterinary advice is appropriate even if symptoms seem mild.

It is also important for families to remember that emergency responders are trained to evaluate risks at a scene. People should evacuate immediately when an alarm sounds or smoke is present, call 911 from a safe location, and tell dispatchers if a person or pet may still be inside. Returning to a dangerous building can put additional lives at risk.

Milo’s Recovery Brings Relief to His Family

While the home will require repairs, Milo’s family has focused on his recovery and the gratitude they feel toward the firefighters who found him. His return home, along with his improving energy and continued veterinary follow-up, has offered reassurance after a frightening event.

The Pasadena rescue is a story of alert observation by a passerby, quick emergency reporting, and coordinated work by firefighters from neighboring communities. It also offers a practical message for pet owners: preparation matters, but fast communication with emergency services can be critical when a pet is trapped inside a home.

For Milo, the outcome included a reunion with the people who searched for him when he could no longer make himself heard. For the firefighters involved, it was a reminder of how emergency work can affect families and their beloved animals long after the immediate response has ended.

Sources

• ABC7: Dog reunited with firefighters who rescued him from Pasadena house fire
• City of Pasadena Fire Department
• American Red Cross: Pet Disaster Preparedness
• American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Health and Safety
• Ready.gov: Prepare Your Pets for Disasters