STARKE, Fla. – Diana van Kleeck was asleep in her bed when her dogs started barking and scratching at the door. Just minutes later, she was outside watching her home go up in flames. She credits her four-legged friends for saving her life.

"Thankfully for the dogs. I honestly believe I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the dogs, " Diana told News4Jax.

She said her dogs, Bam Bam and Oreo, are always scratching and knocking at the door, usually to try to get her to let them outside. But this time it was a little bit different. They were trying to let her know there was smoke in her house.

"She was just scratching at the door. He was growling," Diana said.

That's when she opened her bedroom door to find her house full of smoke.

Although the home is destroyed, it was insured. The Red Cross, along with family and friends, are helping Diana and her husband Mark.

Instead of a tragic ending, Diana's story has a happy one. She's alive, and able to show her dogs how grateful she is to have them.

"They might have a little extra privileges," said Diana.