Today, the AWESOME is in Pickens, Georgia. When firefighters in Pickens County, Georgia, rushed into a burning home last March, they weren’t only battling flames—they were racing to save lives. Inside the house, crews discovered a heartbreaking but powerful scene: a litter of newborn puppies, protected by their mother, who shielded them from the fire, ultimately giving her life for theirs.

Pickens County Fire Lieutenant John Isaac Holaway was there that day and adopted one of the puppies. Time passed, and a little puppy named Kreed, was the last of the litter still looking for a home. Jennifer Seigel, founder of one of the animal shelters, was scrolling social media one day and saw Holaway’s puppy and wanted to get the two dogs together to see if they remembered each other. When Kreed and Chief Lou were reunited for the first time since the fire, the bond was immediate. Holaway admitted the moment was emotional. For now, Kreed is being fostered by the very firefighter who carried him out of the flames, giving him time to settle in and see if the placement becomes permanent, and THAT’S AWESOME.