MAN is said to be the only creature which smiles – but Sooty and Max are getting there after celebrating Newton Abbot firefighters’ latest acquisition of animal-friendly rescue gear.

They are wagging their tails in delight after animal toy manufacturers Kong donated three oxygen masks which could help save the lives of pets caught up in smoke-filled house blazes.

The masks – a small one for cats and two larger fits for dogs – were duly handed over at a special presentation at the town’s fire station on Friday.

Fire protection officer and station manager Rob Cude and grateful Sooty are pictured with Hannah Slater, Roger Peters and Max, from Kong.

The company has donated similar resuscitation kits to 20 other fire stations around in the UK in the last few months.