Dog statue donation supports local fire stations

By Robert Capo

Staff Writer

Publication Date: 04/20/2007

The association of Dalmatians and firefighters is now set in stone.

One local man's respect for firefighters is the reason why he donated two statues to the West Lafayette Fire Department last week.

Since Sept. 11, Jack Ruckel has been in awe of the risks firefighters take and wanted to do something to show his support. He started his task by giving seven statues to Lafayette fire stations two months ago.

"I found out I could get as many (statues) as I wanted, so I said Merry Christmas. Now every station has one," he said.

When he first offered a donation, there was a little confusion about what he had in mind.

"They said, ï¾”No dogs allowed,"' he said. "Then I laughed and told them ï¾”No, it's a statue,' and they said ï¾”Yeah, we would love to have one.'"

The history of Dalmatians and firehouses goes back more than 200 years to Chicago, according to Ruckel.

"Back then the tanker was pulled by two horses, and the Dalmatian would jump up on the seat in back and bark at the horses to keep them moving," he said.

The visual appeal of area stations have been enhanced by the presence of the symbols.

"They give a uniformity to the building ... you just can't miss these dogs," said Bill Patterson, a firefighter at the Lafayette Fire Department.

"And they have been well received by the guys here, just the idea that the average citizen thought enough of us to donate them."

After receiving a certificate of appreciation from the president of the firefighters union, Ruckel decided to finish what he started.

But these will probably be the last donations on Ruckel's part.

"At $65 a piece, I'm quitting after this," he said.