Ricco and Layla need your help.

The dogs have been at the Carbon County Animal Shelter since Dec. 23 when their owner died in a house fire at Indian Mountain Lake in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

Ricco is an 11-year-old Bull mastiff pit bull mix while Layla, 9, is a pit bull mix.

“We’d like to kind of honor their owner by finding them a home together,” Tom Connors, director of the shelter, said Wednesday.

Their owner Matt Wilcox, 37, a Marine veteran, died in the house fire.

“He was sleeping in the house,” Matt’s dad John Wilcox, 67, Monroe County, said Thursday.

Wilcox said his son woke up and got the dogs out of the house before succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning. The dogs were found in the backyard.

“They found him within 10 feet of the door, he said.

Oddly, Wilcox said he woke up around 3:05 a.m. that fateful morning, but wasn’t alarmed and went back to bed.

He brought the dogs to his house but they didn’t get along with the cats and the other dogs, so he gave them to the shelter.

“I feel bad that I can’t take them here,” he said.

Ricco is a rescue dog that his son got in South Carolina. He adopted Layla in Virginia.

“His life was those dogs,” he said.

He described them as loyal, friendly and obedient.

Connors said the dogs are “sweethearts” and adjusting to life at the shelter, but it is not the ideal situation for them, especially considering their age. Ricco also has tumors on his body that are “inoperable.” Connors said they don’t know if they are cancerous.

“Ricco is past his estimated time to live,” Connors said.

The dogs had received regular veterinary care, he said.

Considering their age, Connors said it might be a deterrent to a possible adoption.

“A couple people have come, but no one has expressed interest,” he said.

To make giving the dogs a home more enticing for would be pet parents, adoption costs are covered through donations. Annual medical care and vaccinations are covered through donations and the Lehighton Animal Hospital. Both dogs are current on vaccinations.

“We don’t want to put a hardship on anybody,” Connors said.

He said the ultimate goal is to adopt them together but the longer that takes the less likely that is realistic.

“There is a home for every dog, but you have to be able to reach the person that has it,” Connors said. “We currently have 13 dogs under our care and 15 kennels,” Connors said.

Having kennels available is important in case staff get additional animals in. Pit bull mixes are the most common dogs finding a temporary home at the shelter.

Caring for the dogs is rewarding but time intensive work. Volunteers are needed but not with the shelter now because of the pandemic. Connors said additional staff are needed. Those interested may call 570-325-4828 and ask for Tom. Donations are always welcome.