Dogs really are man’s (and woman’s) best friend.
The news is full of stories of dogs showing courage and bravery; risking their own lives to save humans and, in some cases, other dogs. To celebrate our furry life-savers, here’s a list of five hero dogs who have risked their lives for the sake of others.
1. Figo the Golden Retriever
This beautiful Golden Retriever, a blind dog, threw himself in front of a school bus to save his partially sighted owner from being hit. Figo then refused to leave his owner, Audrey Stone’s, side even though he was himself injured. Luckily, both Audrey and Figo escaped the ordeal without life threatening injuries.
Figo. Source
2. Maddison the Great Dane
Ever since Great Dane Lily had to have both eyes removed by vets due to an illness when she was a puppy, her best pal Maddison, another Great Dane, has stepped into the role as her guide dog. The two are incredibly vocal in communicating to each other – if Lily wants Maddison to move out of her way she’ll produce a higher pitched bark. They are inseparable and even sleep curled up together.
Lily and Maddison. Source
3. Buster the Springer Spaniel
This lovely little Springer Spaniel previously worked as a police dog (now retired), completing five tours of Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia as an Arms and Explosives Search (AES) dog. Buster has been on military tour more times than any other dog, and has saved thousands of lives. He’s now the official lifetime mascot of the RAF police – the only dog to have received this honor.
Buster and his owner, Will Barrow. Source
4. Leo the Black Labrador
Black Labrador Leo barked one night until his owner, Andrew, woke up. Little did Andrew know that his girlfriend, Joanna Mellor, had suffered a cardiac arrest and was desperately trying to breathe lying next to him. Andrew promptly performed CPR and Joanna was clinically dead for 30 minutes. Luckily she has since made a full recovery – all thanks to Leo alerting Andrew.
Joanna, Andrew and Leo. Source
5. Miracle the Crossbreed
Miracle was one of the five dogs up for the Hero Dog Award at this year’s Crufts. Miracle was rescued from a lorry cruelly packed with 1,000 other dogs destined for the slaughterhouse in Thailand and was brought to the UK where he found a home with the Leask family in Strathglass, Inverness.
The miracle pup now has a special bond with the owner’s six-year-old son Kyle, who has cerebral palsy and autism.
Miracle and his owner, Source: onEdition
So, next time you leave your house – don’t forget your keys, wallet and most importantly – your dog!
Share this article on social media and let’s give these hero dogs the recognition they deserve.