Firefighter uses CPR to save tiny dog

WEST MONROE, La. - A firefighter performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation and revived a small dog he found lifeless in a burning mobile home.

When firefighters arrived at the blaze in northeastern Louisiana Friday, a resident of the house approached firefighter Stephen "Odie" Odom and told him two dogs were trapped inside.

Odom entered the house and found the two tiny terriers in pet carriers in a smoke-filled room, and shuttled them to safety.

When he removed one of the dogs from its carrier, Odom noticed it was not breathing and its tongue was hanging out. The firefighter removed his face mask and placed the dog's head inside so the oxygen could blow in its face.

When the oxygen didn't work, Odom began performing CPR on the dog by "cupping my hands around the dog's snout and blowing until I could feel his chest expand," he said.

"I then did chest compressions similar to that of infant CPR. After approximately one minute of doggie CPR, I noticed the dog trying to breathe on its own."

Five minutes later the dog began looking around and was given to the owner of the house. An oxygen tank was left with the animal.

Fire Prevention Officer Curt Meachum said he was glad the dog's life was spared.

"We do not know the dog's name, but we could just call it 'Lucky,'" Meachum said.