Like a blanket of serenity that shields us momentarily from the chaotic world, people search high and low to tap into the Christmas spirit. Forget the feel-good critter movies this Christmas, real dog heroes surround us daily, often going unrecognized. Tap into the inspiration offered by these special canines, they outshine anything that Hollywood has to offer.
The Newfoundland with human-like empathy
Rosie the Newfoundland dog does not aspire to be Lassie; she may never enter a burning building or travel thousands of miles to get home. Rosie, it appears, is far more subtle and secretive than that. In a display of almost human-like empathy, Rosie proved to truly be man's, (or in this case woman's), best friend.
On March 17, 2010, Janice Lloyd of USA Today, published a letter by Rosie's owner, Valli. In the letter, published at Usatoday.com and called, "Meet Rosie: A dog who has Promises to Keep," Valli writes that she had no idea that Rosie was jumping a 4-foot fence daily to sit by the bedside of Mary, a neighbor dying of lung cancer.
Rosie, who was always back home by the time her owners returned from work, left them none the wiser. It was only after Mary's death, that her family members came forward and spilled the beans on the dog's exploits. Mary apparently, had always loved Rosie, and the Newfoundland it seems, reciprocated that love by making certain that she was there when needed the most.
The Pit Bull who rescued a stranger
Pit Bulls often unjustly get a bad rap, but in this instance a 65-pound stray Pit Bull mix made the news for playing the role of a guardian angel to a woman and her son. Zootoo.com staff writers reported in, " Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman, Child from Attacker," that the mother, known only as "Angela," was out walking with her 2-year-old son in Port Charlotte, Florida, when she was approached by a knife-wielding man intent on robbing her.
During what must have been a terrifying moment for both mother and son, a Pit Bull mix appeared from nowhere and charged the attacker head-on. The mere presence of the dog was sufficient to ensure the robber's change of heart as he consequently fled. Angela grabbed her son and ran to her car, ready to drive off and alert the police, but when the Pit Bull mix also jumped into her vehicle, Angela, her son and the dog, waited it out together, until law enforcement arrived. An extremely grateful Angela now hopes to adopt the Pit Bull she has tentatively named Angel.
The German Shepherd who proved to be a true buddy
Media outlets in April, 2010, covered the story of Buddy the German Shepherd. Twenty-three-year-old Ben Heinrichs of Anchorage, Alaska, was in his workshop tinkering with truck parts when an errant spark ignited nearby gasoline, setting the man's clothes on fire. As Ben ran outside to drop and roll in the snow, his dog Buddy took off in search of help.
Finding Alaskan State Trooper, Terrence Shanigan parked at a crossroads, Buddy made certain the trooper knew that there was an issue. Shanigan followed the Shepherd, as the dog slowed down and sped up, finally leading the trooper to his injured owner and a workshop now engulfed in flames. Buddy's remarkable actions which show why GSDs are revered for their smarts and devotion, were caught by the trooper's dashboard camera and can be viewed at Youtube.com.
Canines that serve the USA
According to the U.S. War Dogs Association, up to seven hundred military dogs currently serve side-by-side with American soldiers in the Middle East. Uswardogs.com's, K-9 Wall of Honor, pays tribute to military canines who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In 2010, dogs lost include:
- MWD Bingo
- MWD Akim
- MWD Tar
- MWD Loke (the Royal Danish Air Force based in Afghanistan)
- MWD Roy; F018
The U.S. War Dogs Association is currently seeking donations for Operation Military Care (K-9). Care packages are mailed to military working dogs (MWDs) currently in service to the US. Items needed are varied and include grooming supplies, treats, cooling items and food supplies. Visit Operation Military Care for more information.
With unconditional love and devotion, selfless canines rarely judge, offer comfort to the sick or dying and in some instances, risk their lives for nothing more than a warm bed, a bowl of food and a pat on the back from their favorite person. These outstanding and heroic canines of 2010 make the world a better place and truly earn the title of man's best friend.
Note: All sources accessed Dec. 14, 2010.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
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