A Tallahassee family’s dog woke them up close to 2 a.m. on Aug. 1 to let them know that their mobile home was on fire.
James and Theresa Parsons and their 14-year-old autistic son escaped the fire with no time to spare, thanks to their dog Sir Larue Winnieschnitzle, nicknamed “Chewbarka,” The Tallahassee Democrat reported.
“It was a wall of flames — it was going to engulf us,” James Parsons said, The Tallahassee Democrat reported. “We got out just in time.”
The fire began in the back porch area of the home and caused $85,000 in damage. The Parsons lost most of their possessions, and their son is having a very difficult time adjusting to the change in his environment because of the autism, The Tallahassee Democrat reported.
Both James and Theresa Parsons are physically disabled with spinal problems and had just declared bankruptcy and had their previous home foreclosed on, the Democrat reported. They are staying with their landlord next door to their burned-out home until they can find another place to live.
The Parsons are holding on to their faith in the middle of the crisis. Theresa Parsons is sure their dog’s alert was a message from God to save their lives. “Everything happens for a reason but we don’t know what the outcomes are going to be ... but we stand firm in our faith,” she said, The Tallahassee Democrat reported.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family get back on their feet. Nearly $5,000 has been raised so far.
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