HOUSTON — On Friday, we showed you video of a Houston firefighter rescuing a chihuahua that was stuck on the support of a pedestrian bridge in Sims Bayou. The dog has now been reunited with its owner.
In the video, you can see the dog, whose name we’ve learned is Burbie, was not a willing participant in the rescue. Once a firefighter approached her in the bayou, Burbie barked and lunged a couple times at the firefighter’s hand. Burbie then turned and jumped into the bayou to get away, but was quickly caught and brought to safety.
We posted the story on Friday. Then on Saturday morning, we were contacted by a man who said he was the owner’s son.
The family had seen the story on KHOU 11 and noticed it was their Burbie that was being rescued. Judy Hausler, who works as an independent animal rescuer and transporter, was at Sims Bayou when everything unfolded.
"She started standing up and barking, like yapping, more yap than bark, really, it was kind of cute," Hausler said. "It just worked out that I was there, and I said, 'I'm going to take the dog, and I'll find it a home.'"
Hausler said she kept Burbie overnight, and she was able to connect with Burbie's owners. Saturday morning, Burbie's family came to meet Hausler and Burbie was safely returned to them.
"She was emotional here, because when they jumped out of the car and I had her in my arms, wrapped in this blanket I let her keep, they were all crying," Hausler said, describing the emotional reunion. "They were all crying and the grandma is going, 'Mama, mama, come here baby, come here.' And it was just so sweet."
It turns out Burbie had been missing since Monday when her owner said the dog bolted out the door. The son said Burbie had never run away before and didn’t have a collar on.
One of the owners told KHOU 11 that Burbie is doing fine, adding that, "We are very grateful for the efforts of the first responders and of everyone involved to help us bring our baby home. I don't think that there's anything that we could possibly do to repay the efforts of those involved, but I will say that I am very grateful."
Hasler said the family will be going to her vet to get Burbie microchipped.
"I'm going to make sure it gets put in because I'm going to be down there when they go, and I told her I'd help her," Hausler said. "You must spay, neuter and chip your dogs."
Houston Botanical Garden shared video of the rescue with KHOU 11. You can see that below.