Firefighters in the City of Newburgh are mourning the death of their former firedog, Nick – a rescue-turned-community superstar after the dog died this week following a brief battle with cancer.

“He was the life of the firehouse,” says his caretaker, retired firefighter Chris O’Dell. “Guys loved him. When I was working, he’d follow me. I’d get my radio on and just toss him up and he’d hang out.”

O’Dell and Nick retired together in 2023. Nick’s beginnings with the department were serendipitous. He was taken in by firefighters in 2016 when they found him on a call, abandoned and tied to a fire hydrant – something members felt was a sign that Nick’s future with them was meant to be.

“He was an awesome companion. He went home with all the guys,” O’Dell says.

Over the years, the beloved firedog went on hundreds of calls and helped families learn about fire safety. One of the firefighters on duty when Nick was rescued wrote a book about the firedog, and Nick became a TikTok sensation.

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O’Dell says Nick was diagnosed in April with cancer and that his condition quickly deteriorated. The dog passed away on Monday. News 12 joined O’Dell on Wednesday when he went to the veterinary clinic to pick up Nick’s belongings.

“They gave me his bed and shared a couple of stories of how they saw him on Facebook,” O’Dell says.

Undoubtedly, the stories about Nick will ensure the beloved firedog will never be forgotten.

“He was happy,” says O’Dell. “Even up until his last day.”