Dogs of Valour

10/07/09

As dog lovers, nothing warms our hearts more than a tale of canine courage that saves an owner's life. The Humane Society of the United States takes time every year to honour some of these inspiring dogs with their "Dogs of Valour" awards. This year's choices were difficult, and the judges had to choose between fifteen finalists for a winner, three runners up and a special award for "The People's Hero".

The top winner is Baby, a 5-year old Great Dane from New Mexico (pictured right). His owner is an 82-year old cancer survivor, who set out for a car ride one night with Baby at his side. The man became disoriented; driving his car off the road, down an embankment and wedging it between two trees. The man found himself unable to get free, and couldn't get anyone's attention by screaming and honking the horn in the remote area.

Baby snuggled up to his owner to keep him warm during the night. Every few hours, Baby would leave the car to look for help, and then return through a broken window to remain at his master's side. In the morning, the Dane left the site and found a nearby neighbor, leading her to the accident site. Rescue crews got the man out of the wreckage, getting him medical attention for a cracked spine. The 2009 dog of valour is recognized for loyalty in staying with his owner, and for innovation in seeking out help.

The Runners-up are:

Boo, a German Shepherd/Bloodhound mix. While out on a walk, Boo's owner took a spill and knocked himself unconscious. Boo took off for a nearby building, making such a ruckus people called the police on him. Before they could catch the dog, he ran back to his master, leading police right to him.

Charley. A West Highland white terrier. When a neighbour three houses away fell off a ladder, Charley alerted his owners that something was wrong. He pulled his owner towards the house and took her straight to the 61 year old unconscious man.

Labrador Retriever Jake saved his 12-year old owner from drowning. Using his natural affinity for water, he alerted the family when the child became trapped in the current.

And the "People's Hero" goes to D-boy – a representative of the much maligned pit-bull breed. The plucky dog stood up to an armed burglar and protected his family from the intruder. The gunman ended up shooting the dog three times, but D-boy continued to charge the man, running him off. After some careful treatment in the Emergency Clinic, D-boy survived his injuries to win this deserved award.

For more information on the Humane Society of the United States, visit: www.humanesociety.org

We hope to see something similar in Australia some time soon!

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