place as mascot with
Freehold Fire Department
Princess IV takes her
place as mascot with
Freehold Fire Department
By clare marie celano
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY Although she’s tiny, Princess IV, a 9-week-old Dalmatian puppy, has brought plenty of big smiles to the volunteers at the Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Borough.
The Freehold Fire Department has a new family member — her name is Princess IV.
Since the 9-week-old Dalmatian puppy arrived at the Freehold Borough firehouse, the mood of the firefighters at the department has picked up considerably.
Not that any dog could ever take the place of 11-year-old Princess III, who died on March 27, but the sight of the tiny puppy, donated by Pet Paradise in Marl-boro, scampering through the halls of the firehouse certainly seems to have eased a bit of the sadness of the loss felt by more than 100 Freehold firefighters
A tiny bed set up for the puppy now occupies the area where Princess III kept her night post. A small metal crate sits by the radiator in the large room of the firehouse. This spot was the place where the puppy’s predecessor found herself most comfortable, according to Bill Maushardt, a member of the volunteer fire department for more than 30 years.
Pet Paradise owners Joseph Santanas-taso and Dana West visited the firehouse on June 30 to give some advice and to officially turn over the care and raising of Princess to members of the fire department.
According to Andy Dale, president of the fire department, members of the department are very happy about the arrival of their new friend.
Stating that Pet Paradise was happy to help out, Santanastaso also donated one year’s worth of food for Princess.
According to Dale, in addition to arriving with pictures of her parents Pedro and Pammy, Princess came with food, treats, a collar and a leash. On behalf of all the members of the fire department, Dale extended their "sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that Pet Paradise has done."
Born on April 25, Princess already seems to be enjoying her new home. According to Maushardt, the 7-pound puppy is already greeting children as they wander into the firehouse to sneak a peek at the new firehouse dog.
He said Princess had a very special welcome on her arrival. She had a chance to meet 35 firefighters as they returned to the station after a drill at the fire academy.
Dalmatians have been a part of the Freehold Fire Department since 1970. According to Maushardt, "duties" (so to speak) of the cherished mascot will be to "tag along" with firefighters on field work for Fire Prevention Week as they visit local schools and churches.
Princess will also accompany the firefighters in parades. Always a favorite of children, the Dalmatians have always been the ‘biggest hit" of firehouse tours, according to Maushardt.
The veteran firefighter shared the story of how the tradition of keeping Dalmatians as firehouse dogs originated.
"The idea originated in London," Maushardt said. "Dalmatians were known as coach dogs. They would ride with the stage coaches because they were known to have a calming effect on the horses and because they were very loyal to their owners. Over the years, firemen moved to horse drawn carriages. When they reached the scene of the fire, they had to tie their horses up to wooden poles. At this time, it was the function of the Dalmatian to protect the horses from the other dogs and calm the horses down."
With the advent of engine-powered fire trucks, the role of the Dalmatian has become less active, evolving into the "mascot" of today.
Firefighters are glad that Princess has arrived because, according to Maushardt, "the last few months have been very empty without their mascot."
Although Princess has not been formally "trained" as of yet, she seems to have mastered at least one of her duties — placing smiles on all those who come in contact with her.