One lucky pup survives death twice, owners praise kennel

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Some Ocean Isle Beach pet owners are speaking out in support of the owners of a kennel that caught on fire Sunday.

The Brunswick County Fire Marshal Scott Garner said it happened at Diamond-A-Kennels Sunday night, because of a malfunctioning air-conditioning unit.

Ocean Isle Beach residents Chad Clark and Daniell Marone got their dog Cannoli more than a year ago. Since then, they say this lucky dog has faced death twice. It first happened when Cannoli was five months old.

“When we were walking her, she just slipped out of my hands and took off,” Clark said.

Clark said they spent a month looking for her.

“We were weeping,” Clark said. “That’s why we got the boxer.”

They got a boxer named Vita and a week later Clark said Cannoli came home.

“Gone for a whole month at 5 months old at 14 pounds and survived,” Clark said.

Clark said now the two dogs do not separate even when they go to the kennel.

“We board them together, because they’re sisters,” Clark said. “The puppies love going there.”

When Clark went to pick them up from their last visit, he said something was wrong and the owner looked nervous.

“I walked up and she was nervous and she said who are you here for?” Clark said. “She took a big, deep breath and gave me a hug.”

Clark said the kennel caught on fire, but the bigger dogs did not inhale as much smoke.

“If you go inside the place, there are two separate doors,” Clark said. “One is shut off for the little dogs and one is shut off for the big dogs.”

Clark said Cannoli survived her second run with death, because she boards with Vita and the big dogs.

“We’re just very, very thankful,” Clark said. “They’re all we got.”

Clark said they will be boarding there again, because whether it is luck or not, he trusts the owners of Diamond-A-Kennels.

“As soon as they get back up and running, we’re going to take them back, because we know how much they take care of them,” Clark said.

Kennel Owner Debra Somersett said friends and family have helped them clean the place out. She said they are just waiting on an inspector, so they can start to re-open.