Beloved NoLIta Firehouse Dalmatian Dies After Nearly 15 Years With FDNY
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Dalmatian that became a companion to firefighters from the Ladder 20 company in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has died.
The dog, named Twenty, was a loyal companion to FDNY firefighters at the firehouse at 253 Lafayette St. in NoLIta for nearly 15 years.
Seven members of the company died on the 35th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. In the following days, the fire company received condolences from around the world, and one day, two sheriffs from Rochester came to the firehouse with a Dalmatian puppy, the FDNY said.
Twenty the dog became the mascot and companion for the fire company, said FDNY Lt. Gary Iorio.
"She really helped to build the morale in the years following 9/11. I can't say enough about what she did to help us. She went on all the runs, she'd jump in the truck, stick her head out the window and bark," Iorio said in a news release. She became a local celebrity."
The FDNY offered thanks to Twenty Tuesday for being a loyal companion to firefighters and the community.
"Today, Twenty has taken her final run to Heaven," Iorio said in the release. "Rest in peace, man's best friend."
