Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire: 7 rescued puppies adopted

ESPAÑOLA, N.M. — Seven puppies rescued from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire have all been adopted.

KOB 4 first showed you a picture taken by Española firefighter Arron Abeyta of the puppies he found while fighting the fire.

“He told me that the puppies just ran up to him in a herd, you know, basically saying help us,” said Mattie Allen, with Española Humane. The seven puppies and their mom eventually wound up in the shelter’s care.

The shelter spayed and neutered them and got them ready for adoption. It didn’t take long – all seven puppies have been adopted.

Five of the puppies were adopted by members of the New Mexico National Guard deployed to the fire.

“The New Mexico Guard was part of the groups, this whole community of people that has been caring for these puppies and several of them fell in love,” Allen said.

The other two puppies were just adopted at the shelter by other families. A fire theme is emerging with their names.

One has been named Pele, after the Hawaiian goddess of fire. The other has been named Joaquin Phoenix.

“Like the phoenix rising from the ashes but he’s a boy so he’s Joaquin Phoenix and another National Guardsman is naming his dog Woods,” Allen said.

The puppies are now heading to their forever homes thanks to the kindness of firefighters and some National Guard members.

“I think it just goes to show how big of a heart these folks out there have,” Allen said. “It’s just a whole community of people working together to save lives, whether it’s human lives, pets, livestock, each other.”

As for the mom of the puppies, she’s been returned to her owner after the shelter spayed, vaccinated and microchipped her.

Española Humane also waved the adoption fees for the National Guard members.