In their hour of need, a loyal dog did what no one expected
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When it comes to loyalty and bravery, our four-legged friends never cease to amaze us.
But every now and then, a story comes along that truly tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us just how much our pets can mean to us, sometimes even saving our lives.
That’s exactly what happened in the early hours of a chilly Adelaide morning, when a little Jack Russell named Vivienne became an unlikely hero for her elderly owners, Helen and Geoff Packer.
The couple, who have called their Glen Avenue home in Unley Park their sanctuary for over 30 years, were fast asleep when disaster struck.
At around 3am, a fire broke out in the carport of their home. The flames quickly spread, hungrily devouring the roof and threatening to engulf the entire house.
In a cruel twist, the home’s fire alarms failed to activate—because the blaze started outside, the smoke didn’t reach the detectors inside until it was almost too late.
But Vivienne, with her keen senses and unwavering devotion, sprang into action. Sensing the danger, she barked and roused Helen and Geoff from their slumber, giving them precious moments to escape the inferno unharmed.
Thanks to Vivienne’s quick thinking, the couple made it out safely, even as the fire caused an estimated $2 million in damage to their beloved home.
'It’s a pretty bad day for them, they’ve lost most of their house. However, the Jack Russell dog has woken them up and they’re unscathed,' said Gideon Douglas from the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS). 'Hundred per cent that dog needs some treats today.'
Neighbours also rushed to help. Scott Fox, who lives nearby, tried valiantly to contain the fire with his garden hose before firefighters arrived.
'I thought if I could get some water on the exterior of the building it might not be able to catch it, but it was raging, it was pretty hot,' he recalled.
The Packers, who are grandparents to Maisie Packer (wife of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee) and members of a well-known Adelaide business family, are now facing the daunting prospect of rebuilding.
While they are insured, the couple are unsure if they’ll start over, given their age and the emotional toll of losing a home filled with decades of memories.
This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of fire safety, especially for older Australians. While smoke alarms are essential, they’re not foolproof—especially if a fire starts outside the home.
It’s a good idea to regularly check your alarms, consider interconnected systems, and have an escape plan in place. And, as this story shows, sometimes our pets are the best early warning system we could ever hope for.
Let’s also take a moment to celebrate our furry companions. Vivienne’s actions were nothing short of heroic, and she’s certainly earned a lifetime supply of treats and belly rubs!
Read more: ‘She’s a small lady, but she’s so brave’: A 68-year-old's heroic fight against a deadly blaze
Have you ever had a pet save the day or alert you to danger? Or do you have tips for fire safety that you’d like to share with the community? We’d love to hear your stories and advice—pop your thoughts in the comments below!
But every now and then, a story comes along that truly tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us just how much our pets can mean to us, sometimes even saving our lives.
That’s exactly what happened in the early hours of a chilly Adelaide morning, when a little Jack Russell named Vivienne became an unlikely hero for her elderly owners, Helen and Geoff Packer.
The couple, who have called their Glen Avenue home in Unley Park their sanctuary for over 30 years, were fast asleep when disaster struck.
At around 3am, a fire broke out in the carport of their home. The flames quickly spread, hungrily devouring the roof and threatening to engulf the entire house.
A pet Jack Russell named Vivienne has been praised as a hero for waking her elderly owners when their house caught fire in Unley Park, Adelaide. Image source: Gemma Regalado / Unsplash. Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.
In a cruel twist, the home’s fire alarms failed to activate—because the blaze started outside, the smoke didn’t reach the detectors inside until it was almost too late.
But Vivienne, with her keen senses and unwavering devotion, sprang into action. Sensing the danger, she barked and roused Helen and Geoff from their slumber, giving them precious moments to escape the inferno unharmed.
Thanks to Vivienne’s quick thinking, the couple made it out safely, even as the fire caused an estimated $2 million in damage to their beloved home.
'It’s a pretty bad day for them, they’ve lost most of their house. However, the Jack Russell dog has woken them up and they’re unscathed,' said Gideon Douglas from the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS). 'Hundred per cent that dog needs some treats today.'
Neighbours also rushed to help. Scott Fox, who lives nearby, tried valiantly to contain the fire with his garden hose before firefighters arrived.
'I thought if I could get some water on the exterior of the building it might not be able to catch it, but it was raging, it was pretty hot,' he recalled.
The Packers, who are grandparents to Maisie Packer (wife of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee) and members of a well-known Adelaide business family, are now facing the daunting prospect of rebuilding.
While they are insured, the couple are unsure if they’ll start over, given their age and the emotional toll of losing a home filled with decades of memories.
This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of fire safety, especially for older Australians. While smoke alarms are essential, they’re not foolproof—especially if a fire starts outside the home.
It’s a good idea to regularly check your alarms, consider interconnected systems, and have an escape plan in place. And, as this story shows, sometimes our pets are the best early warning system we could ever hope for.
Let’s also take a moment to celebrate our furry companions. Vivienne’s actions were nothing short of heroic, and she’s certainly earned a lifetime supply of treats and belly rubs!
Read more: ‘She’s a small lady, but she’s so brave’: A 68-year-old's heroic fight against a deadly blaze
Have you ever had a pet save the day or alert you to danger? Or do you have tips for fire safety that you’d like to share with the community? We’d love to hear your stories and advice—pop your thoughts in the comments below!
