Lucy The Basset Hound Crosses Rainbow Bridge After House Fire

HOMETOWN, IL — A dog pulled from a fire in Hometown earlier this week has died. Lucy the basset hound suffered smoke inhalation and burns. After two days of fighting hard to live, Lucy was euthanized Friday when it became apparent she would not survive her injuries. Another basset hound, Pumpkin, Lucy’s mother, also perished in the fire.

On Wednesday morning, Selena Ryan was reporting to her first day on a new job when she received a terrifying phone call that her Hometown duplex in the 8700 block of South Kostner Avenue was on fire. Lucy was completely black when she was pulled out of the flames in her crate. Pumpkin was found deceased.

“Her being in the cage saved her,” Selena told Patch, who said Lucy was prone to separation anxiety. “I’d come home and find that she had eaten the couch.”

The Hometown Fire Department, assisted by Oak Lawn, Burbank and Evergreen Park firefighters, struck the fire. The brick firewall kept the fire from spreading to the adjacent duplex, which had smoke damage. Selena’s side of the duplex, sustained heavy damage. Fire officials believe the fire started in the kitchen.

Firefighters worked desperately to save Lucy, and she was rushed to Premiere Veterinary Group in Orland Park. Lucy’s oxygen tank ran out a block from the clinic. The dog was placed immediately in critical care in grave condition. Her paws were burned and she suffered smoke inhalation.

Selena’s mother, Darlene, set up a GoFundMe campaign for Lucy’s medical care, estimated to cost $4,000. The next morning after plasma transfusions, Lucy was her old self wagging her tail when her “mommy” Selena arrived.

On Friday, the veterinarian delivered the devastating news that Lucy’s kidneys and other organs were shutting down. The candle was lit in the reception area of Premiere, signifying that a family was saying goodbye to a beloved pet.

“We decided to let her go,” Selena said.

Selena grew up in Hometown and moved back there a few months ago renting a duplex. The loss is doubly hard. Selena’s pair of 13-year-old bassets died, and she’s lost two family members in the past year.

“I wasn’t going to get another dog let alone two dogs, but I saw Pumpkin on Facebook,” Selena said. “Pumpkin was pregnant and we kept Lucy.”

The GoFundMe campaign raised over $4,200, as friends, neighbors and strangers donated to Lucy’s medical care. Selena assures the money will be paid forward to local non-profit organizations, despite losing everything she owned in the fire.

“The support me and my babies received floors me,” Selena said. “This is a shock to me. I’m starting all over from scratch.”