The Gustitus family has a lot to be thankful for after the Londonderry community came together to support them after they lost nearly everything in a devastating house fire last week. The only thing that was saved from the home was their 3-month old golden retriever named Gus, now nicknamed “Lucky Gus.”
The dog was found in his create on the second floor by Londonderry Fire Fighter Riley Northrop, who administered CPR to the puppy once out of the burning building.
“He was in there for a good 45 minutes to an hour,” said MaryBeth Gustitus. “How he lived, I don’t know. It’s a miracle!”
The dog was taken to AVC Manchester Emergency Veterinary Care where he was able to recuperate from his traumatic experience before returning to his family and later on visiting those who rescued him.
“I think this story about the community… and that this dog has the will to live, it’s really beautiful,” said Gustitus.
She stressed that her family cannot thank the LFD enough for what they did. “They are the heroes of the whole thing,” she said.
After the fire was put out, she was joking with some of the fire fighters about having just make a sheppard’s pie for dinner. Since she and her family couldn’t have it last week, they plan on making it at the LFD for the whole department to share with them.
“We’re really trying hard to focus on the helpers and just really be grateful,” said Gustitus.
The fire originated in the family’s garage. It’s believed that there was power surge during the last ice storm that cause a refrigerator to explode. That caused the car in the garage to also explode, leading to the catastrophic blaze.
“It’s gone… it’s all gone,” said Gustitus.
The family was away, off to a karate lesson, when Gustitus received two text messages, the first from Eversource saying her power was back and the second from a neighbor saying the house was on fire.
“There were explosions,” the neighbor told Gustitus.
She was just happy that her daughter, Brenna, had decided last minute to join them for karate. “Normally she would not have,” she said.
The outpour of support from the community has been almost overwhelming for Gustitus and her family. Some of the town council members came to check in on them, and her daughter was presented with a gift from the high school staff at last week’s Day of Giving Assembly. Brenna was so moved, MaryBeth said, she decided right there and then to donate her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Hair Drive.
“My daughter was so inspired in that moment,” said Gustitus.
“Everybody’s been giving to me for the last three days. I need to give back,” Brenna told her mother. Gustitus explained in a teary voice that her daughter turned to her and said, “cut my hair off.”
One of the biggest lessons Gustitus and her family learned from this whole experience is that “people are good.”
“The way people show up is mind boggling to us. We are just truly grateful,” said Gustitus. “I’m glad we live in the town that we do.”
She reports that they may have round a rental in Londonderry, which was important to her family. She and her husband, Joseph, wanted to keep the kids in the same schools and stay near the community that came together to support them so much
Gustitus encouraged everyone who reached out to her and her family to pay it forward to the LFP and the Londonderry police and support them for all that they do for the town and its citizens.
“Honor those that are so brave to do this day in and day out,” said Gustitus. “The lesson for us is there is always something to be grateful for.”