The Canton Michigan fire and paramedic department continually receive national recognition for their training and equiptment, but the news that they actually have special oxygen masks for our four legged friends was news to me.

The Detroit Free Press, reported today that "Firefighters in Canton credit a special animal oxygen mask for saving the life of a family’s dog during a house fire Saturday.

Firefighters found Skylar, a yellow Labrador retriever, unconscious with labored breathing inside the family home in the 6800 block of Carriage Hills Drive at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a release issued today by the Canton Fire Department.

After determining the family had escaped the blaze, firefighters carried Skylar outside, where another firefighter was waiting with a special oxygen mask designed specifically for dogs. The special masks were donated to the fire department in 2008 by Christy Jones, then a Canton resident, specifically to save the life of dogs in a fire.

Skylar regained consciousness after about 20 minutes and was transported to a local animal hospital, according to the department. The dog is expected to make a full recovery.

The fire was confined to the northeast area of the basement, where it originated, with smoke damage throughout the house. The cause is still under investigation."

http://www.freep.com/article/20120507/NEWS02/120507054/Canton-dog-saved-from-fire?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE