Hero Dogs... and People Too

Nala, the hero pit bull

Everybody loves dogs, especially hero dogs. But if a pit bull started yanking on leash, would you give in and go where it wanted to go? Let's be honest, not even Lassie would have been all that successful if the people around her were as impatient and non-dog-following as most of us, trudging around with pooper scoopers and tight leashes, ready for the deed to be done and return indoors, or running from point A to point B with no time for dog-inspired detours. Hero dogs just wouldn't be all that successful without the people who pay enough attention to know the difference between "Squirrel!" and "Mayday!"

Here are two stories of hero dogs and people, too.

Pit bulls may be one of the least trusted of dogs, but on December 6, with snow on the ground and temperatures in the teens, a volunteer dog walker for the Redmond, Oregon, Humane Society, following the lead of a pit bull named Nala, saved the life of a blind cocker spaniel named Chadwick that had gotten lost and seemingly passed out in a ditch in the snow. The blind dog, who only a month earlier had been adopted from the same shelter from which Nala was being given a nice stretch of the legs, had escaped his new owner's home. The owners had searched desperately for the dog, but where they had failed, Nala succeeded.

As the volunteer for the Humane Society was taking Nala for her walk, the dog began to pull on her leash, something uncharacteristic for the dog. As the persistent Nala kept pulling, the volunteer finally gave in and let Nala pull him along. He followed Nala to a ditch, and there they found the small, blind, black and white dog curled up in the snow. (Read the full story. Or, if you are interested in adopting Nala, a relatively long-term resident of the shelter, visit the Redmond Humane Society.)


On October 30, Paul Horton crashed his bike on a route he had made many times before without incident. He went over the handle bars, landed on his head, and was paralyzed from the chest down. He had no way of getting help, and there was no one else in sight. But his dog, Yogi, stayed faithfully by his side, until there were people he could employ to help.

Paul's neighbors, out for a walk, could have simply ignored the barking dog, assuming it would run back to its master, or they could have caught it and taken it home, assuming the dog was simply lost. In either scenario, the paralyzed Paul might have remained hidden and died of his injuries. Fortunately, the couple that Yogi found were out for a stroll, recognized that the dog was behaving strangely, and chose to follow the normally calm, quiet dog back to his injured master.

So the next time Fido wants to wander off the trail, before tugging the chain and saying no, maybe give it a second thought. Just in case.



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• Ten True Animal Rescues 
• Animal Atlas: Super Hero Animals 
• Animal Heroes 
• Adopting a Dog: The Indispensable Guide for Your Newest Family Member 
• Adopting A Dog - The Secret To A Successful Adoption 
• Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership Series Volume 3: Your New Dog: First Day And Beyond 
• Dog Care: A Video Guide to Successful Dog Care (Professional Advice for a Happier, Healthier, Loving Dog)