September 17, 2026

A 6-year-old dog named Milo is back to running and playing after firefighters rescued him from a burning home and fought to save his life.

Milo / Pasadena Fire Department

When firefighters arrived at a Pasadena, California, house fire on September 9, they knew someone might still be inside. A 911 caller had reported hearing a dog barking from within the smoke-filled home.

That dog was Milo, and he was in serious danger.

With no people home, firefighters from the Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre fire departments rushed into action. Sierra Madre firefighter Jessica Johnson eventually found Milo hiding beneath a table, surrounded by thick black smoke.

He was unconscious.

"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 recalled.

Johnson, who owns a dog herself, knew how much was at stake. She carried Milo outside, where firefighters immediately began administering oxygen and working to resuscitate him.

For about five minutes, they fought to bring him back.

Then, thankfully, Milo regained consciousness.

Pasadena Fire Department

According to the Pasadena Fire Department, Milo had already been inside the home for at least eight minutes. Every additional moment in that smoke-filled environment could have changed the outcome.

For Johnson, the rescue was deeply emotional.

"I shed a little bit of a tear but, you know, you've got to keep it professional and continue to do my job," she said.

And she did exactly that.

The result was a reunion worth celebrating.

Milo's family recently had the opportunity to thank the firefighters who saved him, and his owner, Leticia, made sure they knew just how much their actions meant.

"Acting as quickly as they did, risking their lives for somebody else, and trying for it to be the best outcome as possible," she said. "I'm forever, forever grateful. They're truly heroes."

Today, Milo is recovering at home. He has a slight cough, but his veterinarian expects him to be OK. His family says he has already returned to running and playing like his usual self.

A happy ending for a little dog who got a second chance, thanks to a team of firefighters who refused to give up on him.