Sometimes the perfect home shows up exactly when it’s needed most—and that’s exactly what happened for Ember.
The 1-year-old Dalmatian suddenly found herself without a family after her owner had to relocate overseas. Wanting to make sure she was safe and cared for, they brought her to Alaqua Animal Refuge, a no-kill shelter known for helping pets find their second chance.
It didn’t take long for that second chance to arrive.
Just weeks after Ember settled into the rescue in March, Ross Sheffield—head of the DeFuniak Springs Fire Department—walked through the door.
“We started playing with her, and I’ve always loved dogs,” Sheffield said. “We just kept playing with Ember.”
But there was something even more special about this match.
Dalmatians have a long history with firehouses in the U.S. Long before sirens existed, these dogs would run alongside horse-drawn fire wagons, barking to clear the streets and helping keep the horses calm during emergencies.
So when Sheffield realized Ember’s breed, the idea clicked instantly.
He brought it back to the firehouse—and the response was unanimous.
“We took a vote, and everyone said yes,” he said. “The next day, we adopted her.”
Now Ember is officially part of the crew.
Since joining the department, she’s been settling into her new life—greeting firefighters, exploring the station, and even working with a trainer to learn the ropes of being a modern firehouse dog.
“She’s very active and curious,” Sheffield said. “She’s always looking around.”
The local community has also fallen in love with her.
After the department shared Ember’s story online, the response blew up almost instantly. People have been stopping by just to meet her, and many are excited to see her out in the community soon.
These days, Ember’s job looks a little different than it did in the past. She won’t be running alongside fire trucks—but she will play a big role in connecting with the public, especially kids, and helping spread awareness about fire safety.