When firefighter Nick Newcomb was dispatched to a home following a report of an unresponsive person, he didn’t know he would be unexpectedly be getting a new family member in the wake of a tragic loss.
Michigan’s Farmington Hills Fire Fighters and Police Officers arrived at the home on February 27, 2017 and soon discovered a deceased woman, who had apparently lived alone. While they looked through the house, they discovered Banjo, a 4-year-old Boston Terrier.
The dog was “visibly dehydrated”, according to the City of Farmington’s Facebook page. They wrote:
“While fire fighters gave Banjo some water, a friend of the resident notified the victim’s sister of what had happened. Fire fighters soon learned that no surviving family members lived in Michigan, and they were not in a position to take Banjo.”
“Knowing the uncertainty of the dog’s future, Sergeant/Paramedic Bryan Hewitt, Fire Fighter/Paramedic Andrew Lucki, and Fire Fighter/Paramedic Nick Newcomb contemplated Banjo’s options. In between other emergencies, they spent the remainder of the day talking about Banjo.”
“Later that afternoon, Nick Newcomb called his fiancée Stephanie Pann, and she agreed to the idea of adopting Banjo. Nick called the victim’s sister to ask if he could give Banjo a new home and, without hesitation, she agreed. She told him how pleased she was that her sister’s beloved dog would be well taken care of by his new family.”
“Once his shift was over, Nick Newcomb took Banjo home and surprised his seven-year-old daughter Brooke.”
City of Farmington Hills, Michigan“’Our department prides itself on compassionate service to the community but this story is particularly heartwarming,” said Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh. “We extend our condolences to the family and hope that this wonderful gesture by Nick and his family will offer some small comfort during a very difficult time.’”
What a kind and thoughtful thing for Nick and his family to do. If he hadn’t acted, Banjo may have ended up in an animal shelter with an uncertain future. But now, the dog has a new family who is sure to look after him!
Share this story with your friends if you applaud the Newcomb’s kindness!
