Honoring a Canine Hero

Macy, a 3 year old brindle dog, woke up at 6:50 am on January 2 knowing that something was wrong. Dad and Grandma were at work, and Macy was alone with her 11 year-old master, Bryan. They were in his bedroom, asleep, when she smelled smoke. She nudged him, licked him, and pawed him. She barked. She licked him again and again, and he awoke. Their home was on fire and the room was full of smoke.

Humane Society Director Janine Ceja presented an award to Macy today at the Three Rivers Inn, where Inn Manager Kris Dodge is housing the family after their home burned down.


Without Macy, firefighters said, Bryan might have died within another few minutes. Despite being disoriented from smoke inhalation, Bryan remembered what he had learned about fires. He felt the bedroom door before opening it. It was hot to the touch. He and Macy went out the window, instead. She landed on top of him, jumping to safety. When fire crews arrived, Bryan was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Neither he nor Macy suffered any lasting harm.

Bryan has known Macy all her life. He picked her out when she was just one day old, he said, and she was the first puppy in a litter of six to come to him. He always knew she was a loyal friend. Today, the whole family understands the depth of her loyalty. Bryan's dad Patrick and grandma Lynda are grateful that the boy is safe, and they vow never to part with Macy. They lost everything in their Lyman home—everything except what really matters.

The Ribera family has had an outpouring of support from the community, and they have a home to move into. "She'll have a big yard to play in," Lynda said. Thanks to the Three Rivers Inn, Coho Liquidation, the North Cascades Veterinary Hospital, and the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, Macy has received a dog bed and toys, a veterinary checkup, an IOU to be spayed, and a place to stay with her family.

Congratulations, Macy Ribera. Thank you for your loyalty and bravery in the face of danger.