Erica Mahnken and her fiance Michael Favor found a pit bull they later named Ashley in an abandoned crack house in Staten Island.
The dog was undernourished and her skin had dozens of cigarette burns. Unfortunately, for at least two days in middle January, the dog had no food, no water, and no electricity.
The couple said that they didn’t ask any questions when someone called them and informed them about the lonely pit bull living at this location.
On the day she was rescued, it was very cold and there was nothing in the abandoned house. The couple went in and got her out right away, deciding to figure it out later what they will do once the dog is out of the horrible house.
Firefighters Agree to Temporarily Take in Sweet Ashley
Mahnken, Favor, and their friend Lara launched a foster-based rescue a year ago. The rescue, No More Pain, had nowhere to place the ill, hungry, and freezing dog. This is when they reached out to a friend of theirs, a firefighter from the Fort Pitt FDNY station at Lower East Side.
These firefighters had a rottweiler before so they agreed to take in Ashley for a certain amount of time. But, only three days after they welcomed Ashley at the station, they contacted Mahnken and asked if Ashley is up for adoption.
Mahnken immediately responded “Yes!” and says her heart felt like it was going to explode from happiness. It was a satisfying feeling since people tend to judge a dog fast, especially if they’re unsure where it came from or how it lived.
Happy Pit Bull Is Living His Best Life in the Fort Pitt Fire Station
The firefighters fell in love with Ashley and she seems to be enjoy the title of the new firehouse dog. Ashley or Ash loves to hang out together with the crew in the kitchen and also spends time on rides with the firefighters when they’re on a call.
Sweet Ashley, who’s now looking much better than when she was found in the crack house, has her spot in the truck that’s only her own. She’s also popular on social media and has an Instagram account with more than 2000 followers.
The firefighters update the profile of Ashley on a daily basis and keep her followers engaged and up to date with Ashley’s day-to-day activities.
In one post, they wrote “I love my new job! Reporting for doodie…ready to ride…I got the woof!”
Mahnken is proud that Ashley is doing so well and she often visits her in the firehouse. Whenever Ashley sees her, she immediately wags her tail, all friendly and loveable.
Sweet Ashley was around 25 pounds underweight at the moment she was rescued. She’s now gained the weight back and is perfectly healthy.
Sources: