Michael Keenan, a 43 year old artist is in critical condition after rushing into a fire to save a dog. The dog isn't doing much better. What makes the story particularly intriguing is that in 2001, Keenan jumped into the Bay to save two people whose car had driven into the water.
Keenan was staying at a friend's house on Tuesday when a fire broke out around 2:30 in the morning. Keenan quickly rushed out, unscathed, but rushed back into the house when he realized his friend's dog, a Jack Russell terrier named Bobby, was still in there. Keenan did this despite warnings by the firemen that it might not be such a good idea. He came out on fire and was quickly treated at the hospital where doctors say he has a 50-50 chance of living. The dog is at Pets Unlimited.
On Christmas Day 2001, Keenan saw a car with two people lurch into the Bay. Apparently, one was teaching the other how to drive and the husband accidentally hit the accelerator and went into the water. Ooops. Keenan grabbed a wrench, jumped into the water and smashed the t windshield of the car, a Jeep, and saved the two people.
You know, in TV or the movies, he'd be completely okay and everything would be happily ever after. Real life, however, can occasionally kind of suck.
Picture of Michael Keenan and a friend from SFGate.
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Now this IS a sad story. And the dog wasn't even his! What a great friend. I truly hope he (and the dog) recovers.
This even brings tears to my cold, bitchy eyes.
Local hero that deserves more recognition than the drunks and addicts...
i think it should be mentioned that his friends and family have started a blog for him at michaeljameskeenan.blogspot.com and they are also accepting donations.
Two points:
There is no indication that Mr. Keenan actually saved the dog. The dog made its own way to a familiar house several blocks away. There, the dog's owner's friends took the animal for care.
In the earlier bay rescue, the husband drowned. Mr. Keenan was only able to save the woman.
This is a very sad story. Mr. Keenan had his heart in the right place, but the untrained just have no idea how unforgiving fire can be on flesh. However, we should try to stick with facts in telling his story
If you'd seen the burned stairwell, you'd know the dog could not have made it out without being carried. Michael was in shock afterwards, it sounds like he put the dog down and it ran off.
Also it was incredible that he was able to save the woman in the 2001 incident. They were replaying the old news story and the bay tides were rolling the SUV around in the water like it was a toy. Amazing anyone was saved...