A pit bull named Bocephus was more than the Perrys’ best
friend
– she became part of their family.
And early Monday morning, she was more than that, too. The
7-year-old dog became their hero and savior.
A pit bull named Bocephus was more than the Perrys’ best friend – she became part of their family.
And early Monday morning, she was more than that, too. The 7-year-old dog became their hero and savior.
About 3 a.m. Monday, the Perry family’s singlewide, mobile home on Barnheisel Road caught fire and burned to the ground.
The family was asleep, but Bocephus woke them with barking and growling. Jackie Perry said at first she thought someone was breaking in, but then smelled the smoke, grabbed her three sons and made it outside.
The 27-year-old mother believes the dog ran back inside and down the hallway to make sure the three little Perry boys had made it to safety.
“Those were her babies,” Jackie Perry said.
Their beloved Bocephus never made it out.
The three boys – 9-year-old Devin, 6-year-old Wyatt and 3-year-old Rourke – have known the dog for as long as they’ve had memories.
But the family’s memories, which Jackie and her 29-year-old husband Joe Perry have collected for 10 years on Barnheisel Road, will take some time to rebuild.
They lost everything, including at least one car, and they have nowhere to live.
They lost the best dog Jackie Perry ever owned.
“The dog was the hero,” CalFire Capt. Jim Dellamonica said.
The San Benito County Fire Department, Pacheco CalFire station and the Hollister Fire Department sent 11 firefighters, three engines and a water tender to battle the blaze.
When the firefighters arrived, there was nothing they could do.
“It was gone,” Capt. Manuel Guerrero said. “We couldn’t have saved anything.”
Investigators estimated a loss of at least $75,000. The fire started when stove ashes were placed in a bag and left on the home’s enclosed porch, CalFire investigators said.
“Apparently, they weren’t as cool as they thought they were and it burned the place down,” Dellamonica said.
The Perry family has already started receiving help. A relief fund has been established for them, and a neighbor has offered a place to stay.
Nearby Casa de Fruta also plans to lend a hand.
Suzan Slater, a partner at Casa de Fruta, said Jackie Perry has worked there since she was a teenager and now works as the assistant manager of the company’s wine tasting.
Casa de Fruta has sent a letter home with employees telling them about the fire and explaining how to donate to the Perry family.
“We all want to pitch in and help her as best as possible,” Slater said. “With the assistance and the caring concern of Casa de Fruta and the community, they can have a little relief.”
As for Bocephus, her spirit may live on with the Perry family.
The dog’s 4-year-old son, Bourbon, survived the blaze, as a firefighter rescued him before the fire reached his kennel outside the residence, Jackie Perry said.
“We have a piece of her,” she said.
