Pennsylvania Firefighter Rescues Dalmations

Dec. 22--If Ron Hereda wanted to stage his own version of "101 Dalmatians," he'd be a quarter of the way there.

His Dalmatian, Ember, gave birth to a litter of 14 puppies on Dec. 11. With 11 full-grown Dalmatians already in Hereda's care, the litter brings his total to 25.

But the pack of dogs he owns now is nothing compared to the total number that have passed through his home since his first pet Dalmatian, Ashes, in the 1980s.

"I've given away at least 150 dogs," Hereda estimated.

Dalmatians were the obvious choice of a pet for Hereda, 60, of Lower Burrell since he's a 48-year member of the Kinloch Volunteer Fire Department in Lower Burrell, joining as a junior member when he was just 12.

Hereda rescues abused, neglected or unwanted Dalmatians.

Some he keeps -- he says he couldn't part with about a half-dozen of his current adult dogs. The rest, well, it would depend on who was interested.

In addition to Ember, his pack includes Arson, Blaze, Cappie Girl, Chance, Frito Bandito, Inferno, Pyro, Rescue, Sparkie and Spot Spot.

The majority of the dogs he rescues he gives away to family, friends and acquaintances. Many of the new owners also are firefighters. Several local departments have mascots thanks to Hereda's stock.

Over the years, he estimates his rescued dogs have produced at least a half-dozen litters.

But this litter is by far the largest.

"When we got to 10 puppies, I thought that was the end," Hereda said. "I didn't expect them all to live."

But the eight girls and six boys appear to be thriving, even the runt of the litter -- a female about half the size of the largest male.

As the pups approach two weeks of age, pale black markings are starting to appear on their white coats. Their eyes are just beginning to open. They spend their time nursing or wiggling into piles for warmth and comfort.

The largest puppy -- a male christened Smokie -- already has been claimed by Hereda's great-nephew. Most of the other puppies have prospective owners as well and will be adopted once they're weaned at about eight weeks of age.

Hereda said he likely will keep one male and one female for himself.

No, she wasn't spayed

A year ago, when he rescued the mother from a deserted field, Hereda believed she was spayed. He learned otherwise when he saw her "interacting" with his male dog, Frito Bandito.

Hereda, who suffers ongoing medical problems from an electric shock he suffered in 1983, was in the hospital and a nursing home for several weeks just before the puppies' birth.

"It wasn't going to happen without me," Hereda said.

Between his prosthetic left leg and a walking boot on the right foot, Hereda has difficulty getting around. But his relatives, several of whom are neighbors, help him exercise the Dalmatians, which are an active breed.

"They're spoiled," Hereda said. "They're my kiddos. My dogs aren't dogs -- I call them my kids."

Sure enough, a plaque inscribed "Ron Hereda and his kids" hangs on the wall amidst photographs of Dalmatians and awards from firefighter-related dog shows.

"They are the kindest, gentlest dogs you could ever want," Hereda said, as Rescue and Cappie Girl curled up like cats in nearby chairs. "I love them. It's going to be hard to give the puppies away."

About Dalmatians

-- The breed's origins are unknown, but it likely is named after the Dalmatia region of what is now Croatia, according to the American Kennel Club. The dogs often were kept by the Romany, or gypsies, in Eastern Europe.

-- The breed's affinity for horses led them to be used as coaching dogs, keeping horses in line and chasing away distractions, according to the American Dalmatian Club. Soon the dogs also were used with horse-drawn fire pumps, and their partnership with firefighters was born.

-- A Dalmatian always accompanies a hitch of the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales.

-- Dalmatians are born pure white; their distinctive black markings begin to appear when they reach two weeks of age.

-- Although the litter of 14 puppies Ron Hereda's Ember produced is large, it isn't quite the world record for a Dalmatian: British newspapers in 2009 reported that honor goes to a Dalmatian named Button who gave birth to 18 puppies. Fittingly, Button is the offspring of a dog who appeared in the movie "102 Dalmatians," a sequel to Disney's "101 Dalmatians."