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10 Times Animals Saved The Day

10 Times Animals Saved The Day

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Animals are great companions, but sometimes they can be so much more than that. The following stories are of animals, some domesticated and others entirely wild, that saved the day, whether it be rescuing their beloved owners or a complete stranger – of varying species. Either way, if they gave Medals of Valor to the animal kingdom, these would all be contenders.

Sources: DogGuide.net, Content.Time.com, Buzzfeed.com, Cracked.com, PeoplePets.com

DogGuide.net
DogGuide.net

Brutis saves a child from a lethal coral snake bite

In 2004, Brutis the golden retriever saved a young child from a coral snake that was slithering dangerously close in the grass. Brutis suffered an almost fatal bite in the process, but was able to receive medical treatment in time to save his life. He went on to receive the National Hero Dog award in Los Angeles, and definitely got an extra bone or two that day.

Buzzfeed.com
Buzzfeed.com

Three lions save the life of an abducted Ethiopian girl

In 2005, the incredible story of the 12-year-old Ethiopian girl who had been kidnapped and saved by lions came to light. The girl was missing for a week after being captured by seven men who were attempting to force her into marriage, when she was eventually found being guarded by three lions. When police forces arrived, the lions waited for them to approach and then backed away into the forest to allow them to help the girl.

DogGuide.net
DogGuide.net

Shana saves her elderly owners from a snowstorm

Shana, a German shepherd/wolf mix, set to work when she realized that her elderly owners, Norman and Eve, were trapped outside during a brutal snowstorm. She dug a tunnel back to their house and managed to pull both members of the couple through to safety. In other news, Shana is now offering driveway plowing services during snowstorms in the neighborhood.

DogGuide.net
DogGuide.net

Trackr locates the last survivor of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack

Trackr was a police rescue dog that rushed to the scene following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. He worked diligently to dig through the rubble, often up to depths of 30-feet or more, and was able to locate the last human survivor of the attack. Trackr was eventually chosen to be cloned for more police rescue dogs, due to his incredible bravery and determination.

DogGuide.net
DogGuide.net

Belle dials 911

Apparently, dogs can use phones now. Or at least, Belle, a beagle trained to help her diabetic owner can. Belle’s human, Kevin Weaver, collapsed from a seizure due to his diabetic condition, and Belle came to the rescue by biting in “9-1-1” into Weaver’s cell phone to alert emergency services to send help. Belle became the first canine winner of the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award, which, unsurprisingly, had gone to humans up until that point. Guess the wireless age is really taking over after all if even the dogs are getting in on the action!

Buzzfeed.com
Buzzfeed.com

Cher Ami helps save 194 soldiers during World War I

Cher Ami was a carrier pigeon during World War I, which was a pretty difficult job in itself. But Cher Ami, whose name translates to “dear friend” in French, was shot while on duty, but continued on with his task. The message he delivered to U.S. forces ended up aiding the rescue of 194 soldiers who had previously been known as the “Lost Battalion,” and Cher Ami won the French Croix de Guerre for his devotion. Cher Ami’s body remains on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., as a part of its “Price of Freedom: Americans at War” exhibit.

Buzzfeed.com
Buzzfeed.com

A pod of dolphins saves surfer Todd Endris from a great white shark

Surfer Todd Endris was surfing when he was attacked by a great white shark, and was struck three times before help arrived in the form of a pod of bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins formed a protective circle around him, fending off the shark so Endris could get to shore and get help. It’s also worth noting another time dolphins came to the rescue – this time, when they saved long distance swimmer Adam Walker from a 6-foot shark while he was crossing open water.

Buzzfeed.com
Buzzfeed.com

Lulu saves her owner from cardiac arrest

Lulu, a potbellied pig, isn’t necessarily most people’s first choice for a house pet. But Lulu demonstrated just how awesome pigs can be when her owner, Jo Ann Altsman, suffered a heart attack while on holiday in the Pennsylvania woods. Lulu ran out into the road and lay down in front of approaching cars in an attempt to get them to stop. She would intermittently run back in to check on Altsman, until a motorcyclist eventually stopped to see why a pig was lying in the middle of the road, and followed her back to the house. He was able to call 911 to send help, and Lulu became the hero of the hour.

EOnline.com
EOnline.com

Guide dog Orlando saves owner after falling on train tracks

Orlando was helping guide his owner, Cecil Williams, around the New York City subway system when Williams became unconscious and fell onto the train tracks. Orlando attempted to stop Williams from falling, but then sounded the alarm by barking consistently until bystanders realized the situation. Others on the platform were able to react quickly to the emergency and help Williams off the tracks before disaster struck, and Orlando showed everyone the incredible skills and devotion of guide dogs everywhere.

Catalog.MSN.com
Catalog.MSN.com

Binti Jua saves boy who fell into her enclosure

Binti Jua the gorilla was having a regular day at her zoo in Illinois when a 3-year-old boy fell over the fence into her enclosure. The 18-foot drop was bad enough, but emergency services were prevented from entering the enclosure immediately to help due to gorillas’ notorious unpredictability and territoriality. Luckily, Binti Jua came to the rescue and picked up the boy, cradling him in her arms as she brought him over to the door where the paramedics waited.