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Helpful Neighbor Is Dogs' Best Friend

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By SHERRI LONON

In The Loop

Published: March 5, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - It was the middle of the night and Buddy Carter's dogs started barking up a storm. Although that's not out of the ordinary on any given evening at Carter's Canine Condos, there was just something different about the sounds that sent up a red flag.

Realizing things were not right, Carter went outside and saw the neighboring dog kennel was on fire. He quickly ran over to help Pasco Fire Rescue personnel who had already arrived on the scene at Paw Prince Pet Resort and Spa, 10125 Land O' Lakes Blvd.

Understanding that many dogs were trapped inside the kennel as its roof burned, Carter pushed firefighters to start bringing them out. He even tried to go in with them, said Fire Marshal Larry Whitten.

"He was very, very helpful," Whitten said of Carter. "He wanted to go in in the worst way. He really wanted to go in and save those dogs."

Thanks to about 30 firefighters on the scene and Carter, the 13 dogs in the kennel escaped relatively unscathed, said Kim Zuccola, co-owner of Paw Prince.

"When you think of what could have been and what actually happened, we're so, so fortunate that everybody came out OK," said Zuccola, who is a partner in Paw Prince with her husband, Marc.

The early morning Feb. 11 blaze at Paw Prince began when a transformer down the road blew up, Whitten said. The incident sparked a power surge that ultimately caused the lighting in the kennel's ceiling to go up in smoke, burning the roof.

Firefighters initially received a call about the transformer fire. While putting out that blaze, they were alerted about the Paw Prince fire by a motorist, Whitten said.

"They were pretty lucky," Whitten said of the Zuccolas. "I'm sure it was harrowing for the dogs."

Two of the dogs suffered burns on their footpads, but will recover, Zuccola said. Whitten said one firefighter suffered from exhaustion.

Zuccola said she is grateful for the fire department's quick response and action.

"They did an amazing job," she said. "It's heart-wrenching to think what could have happened. We're very fortunate."

Although the roof is a complete loss, Zuccola said rebuilding plans are in the works. Although only operating at limited capacity right now, the business is open.

"We will be back, and we will be better," Zuccola said.

In the meantime, clients have begun fundraising to assist with rebuilding expenses insurance won't cover.

"We have a lot of clients with wonderful babies and we've had a lot of support from them in the hope that we would rebuild," she said. "It's very touching to know they want to come back. We may be an older facility, but we take care of the dogs we love."

For his part, Carter said he was glad he could help.

"It's just what people do for each other," he said.
PAW PRINCE REBUILDING FUND

Donations to help Paw Prince rebuild are being accepted at Regions Bank branches. Deposits may be made into the Paw Prince Rebuilding Fund account. The account number is 0100856185.

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