Passing of a life long member and friend

[bambamCo4]

Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue has had a loss this week, long time member, friend, and mascot....4 dog has passed. The ones that new her new her well, the ppl that stoped by the station in the summer time could see her out and about walking around the firehouse, she was a great friend and recived attention from people of all ages.................she will be sadly missed by all...


Bam Bam (153)

[CityTruck4]

She will be missed

Firefighters remember friend
By Nancy Mace The Record Herald

Phore


BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT - One of a kind.

Fire Chief John Fleagle used those simple but powerful words to describe Phore, the mascot of Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue, who died March 14.
"I'm definitely going to miss her, not just as a companion. She will be missed in the community."

A memorial service for the 13 1/2-year-old dalmation was held Friday night in the fire hall.

After the service, Phore's headstone was placed in the Kelly Grove memorial site.

Her ashes, blanket, fire coat, collar, food dish and water bowl will have a permanent place in the display case at the fire hall, Fleagle said.

Pick of litter

"Phore Dog," as Fleagle affectionately called her, was only 8 weeks old when she moved into the fire hall.

"Our company number is 4 and the members didn't want to spell it the typical way, so we called her Phore," according to Fleagle.

Phore was one of 10 puppies in a litter born to a dog owned by Fleagle.

"What made her unique was she had a circle around her left eye that was totally black and both ears were solid black - she was a patch dalmation."

The members agreed to buy Phore and the department paid for food and medical expenses, noted Fleagle.

Phore was rarely alone at the fire house, but had a full-time companion when Fleagle moved into the fire hall for about two years.

"Seven years ago, I started taking her home with me in the evenings after I left the firehouse. There's wasn't anybody to stay with her on a regular basis. When I moved out, she went with me."

Phore, who accompanied Fleagle to work every day, was the object of good natured teasing from the rest of the crew.

"It was a big joke around the firehouse. They would say to her 'don't let him get too far out of your sight.'"

Phore's 'duties'

Phore rode in the back of the squad vehicle, which responds to fire calls and accidents.

"She didn't like riding in the fire truck. The turbo in the engine made a high-pitched noise and it bothered her ears," Fleagle said.

Phore played a significant role in the department's fire prevention efforts.

"Where's the dog?" were the first words out of the mouths of preschoolers from the YMCA who visited the department each year during Fire Prevention Week in October, according to Fleagle.

Phore also loved "carnival time" in May, especially Antietam Dairy ice cream, Fleagle added.

"Her favorite flavor was vanilla and she knew when the truck was out there."

Phore also did her part of help with cleanup efforts.

"She would eat the leftover funnel cakes and french fries dropped on the ground," which led to Phore being "a little overweight," Fleagle said.

Phore also made the rounds in the fire hall during bingo Saturday and Sunday nights.

"If she didn't, they made sure they found her. They liked petting her and being around her," Fleagle said. "Those were the good things she did for the community."

Phore also developed a close relationship with neighbor Donald Fockenroth.

"She would go over there in the summertime and help herself to his tomato plants. He actually planted one especially for her."

Phore also would spend a few hours snoozing on Fockenroth's bed.

"When I started taking Phore Dog home and she wasn't around the fire house 24 hours a day, Donald actually got a dog for himself," Fleagle noted.

Very protective

"It's the dalmation trait to be very protective of the people they know. With Phore Dog being raised in the fire house, her family was larger. She interacted with the kids and the public as if they were part of her family."

Phore started slowing down about six months ago, and developed calcification in her right kidney and arthritis in her hips.

Phore continued to go to the firehouse, but was unable to climb steps the last week or two.

"I would have to carry her. She wasn't as active as she was normally," Fleagle said. "She would just lay and sleep most of the time."

The decision to euthanize his treasured friend was a tough one for Fleagle.

"I asked the membership what their opinion was. They understood and supported me," he noted.

Getting another dog is not being considered at this time, according to Fleagle.

"Probably not," he said. "It would be too tough."