KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
November 17, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
A Katy woman is forever grateful for her dog Marley saving her from a house fire in March. Last night, Marley was honored at the 3rd annual Citizens for Animal Protection gala.
Katy Dog Saved Owner for Fire
Katy resident Patrycia Lewis always knew she had a one-of-a-kind dog. But Marley confirmed that when he saved her from a fire in her home. Marley, a Great Pyrenees, rescued from the Citizens for Animal Protection (CAPS) woke Lewis on March 13, 2019 when a fire broke out at their Katy home in the Westland subdivision.
Lewis carried her small Chihuahua Bella, and they stayed at Marley's side as he led them out of the house through a small break in the flames and out the front door.
"I don't remember much. I passed out in the grass outside and then I remember the fire fighters getting there," recalls Lewis. "They kept talking about how Marley saved me and he wouldn't leave my side."
Lewis, Marley, and Bella were all evaluated after the fire. Marley had burns on his paws but aside from that, the three were fine.
Fire Most Likely Started in Microwave
Lewis recently moved into the house before the fire which is believed to have started in or around the microwave.
"It is unclear if whether all of the smoke alarms in the home were working," says Simon VanDyk, Lieutenant/Public Information Officer, Harris County Emergency Services District 48 Fire/EMS.
Katy Authorities Urge Residents to Check Smoke Alarms
"We have had far too many homeowners alerted by their dogs because their alarms are too old and no longer reliable. Many don’t know you are supposed to replace devices that are more than 10 years old," cautions VanDyk. "Dogs help, but what would be better is having up to date, working smoke alarms."
Home Devastated
Lewis lost everything in the fire, and is lucky that her three daughters were not home at the time.
"Marley and Bella are my everything," says Lewis. "First I saved him and now he's saving me."
Adopted from CAP
Lewis adopted Marley over five years ago from Katy animal shelter CAP. Marley was just a puppy then and Lewis was hesitant about getting a dog. She says she paid the adoption fees with money she and her ex-husband collected in a jar over the years and Marley has been by her side ever since.
"He's very protective of me and my children," she says.
CAP holds a fundraising gala every year as their big fundraiser. It's a black-tie event and Marley was decked out for the evening in a tie as he walked a runway with Lewis and her oldest daughter, Kathleen.
A True Honor
"This honor means the community has not forgotten how to be kind and show kindness when it’s needed," says Lewis. "Marley has been my best buddy since I saw him, we sleep together and he loves going fishing and walks on the mud. I’m honored to be his owner and I’m honored to have Marley when I couldn’t wake up (during the fire.) We are both very proud and I love him to heaven and back! I hope one day I can get his big back yard in the country to run around in."
Marley is currently helping Lewis as she battles breast cancer.
"He lays very careful on my leg when I’m in pain, like he knows," says Lewis.
Learn more about CAP at their website.