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.