Watch the Reunion Between a Florida Fire Crew and the Dog They Saved From a Smoke-Filled Bedroom

You have to watch this one. A Clearwater, Florida fire crew that pulled an unconscious dog named Bandit from a burning home in early November got to reunite with him weeks later — and the emotional payoff is everything.​

In the video, you’ll see Bandit, now fully alert and healthy, greeting the firefighters who carried him out of the smoke-filled house. The crew members who once found him unresponsive on a bed are now seeing him wagging, playful, and alive — a stark contrast to the limp dog they rescued on November 2.​​

Brian Rogers, Bandit’s owner, joins the reunion to thank the firefighters in person, his gratitude obvious and genuine. He tells them: “They saved not only him, they saved me. He’s truly my best friend. They are heroes.”​

For the firefighters, the visit is equally rewarding. Many crews respond to emergencies but rarely get to see the outcome — to witness that their work actually saved a life. Here, they get exactly that: proof that their quick thinking and use of a specialized pet oxygen mask made the difference between life and death for a rescue dog that had already been given a second chance years ago when Rogers adopted him from Suncoast Animal League.​

What Led To The Fire

On November 2, Rogers was away from his home on Barbara Avenue when a fire broke out with Bandit trapped inside. A vigilant neighbor spotted the smoke, used Rogers’ Ring doorbell camera to alert him to the danger, then called 911. When Rogers told the 911 dispatcher where Bandit usually rested — the back corner bedroom — firefighters had a head start on their search.​

The Rescue And Recovery

Firefighters entered the smoke-filled home, located Bandit unresponsive on his bed, and carried him outside. One of the first things they did was fit him with a pet oxygen mask, a decision that likely saved his life. Bandit spent 24 hours in an oxygen chamber at an emergency vet clinic, recovering from severe smoke inhalation.​

Rogers’ first night with Bandit after release was rough — constant coughing, labored breathing. He stayed up with him, using steamy showers and warm bathrooms to help clear Bandit’s airways. But within days, Bandit bounced back, and today he’s fully recovered: back to chasing squirrels, fully energetic, and acting like his old self.