Hero dogs pull owner from lake, stand guard after crash
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 1:00 PM - Four Canadian dogs were inducted into the Purina Hall of Fame Monday at an event in Toronto.
The annual celebration honours pets who have saved lives.
Now in its 47th year, the hall of fame includes 168 animals -- 140 dogs, 27 cats and a horse.
BADGER PULLS OWNER FROM LAKE
Badger, one of the dogs honoured Monday, is an 11-year-old Lab-Rottweiler mix from Elgin, Ont. and is credited for saving the life of his owner Derik Hodgson, 71, in February.
Derik, an avid photographer, rushed out of his cabin with Badger to capture a few shots of birds one day, leaving his jacket and cell phone behind.
While walking along the edge of a lake, Derik slipped and fell on the ice, rupturing his tendon and rendering him unable to move.
Derik, who was fading in and out of consciousness due to the cold temperatures, grabbed onto Badger's collar and yelled “Mush Badger, Mush!”
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Badger began pulling his owner off the lake and all the way back to the cabin which was 400-meters away at the top of a hill.
Derik was then able to reach his phone and call for help.
SAKO BRAVES CHILLY TEMPERATURES TO HELP FAMILY
Sako, a four-year-old King Shepherd from Kanaka Bar, B.C., bravely guarded her family members for two days in at-times chilly temperatures following a tragic car crash.
Sixteen-year-old Joseph Phillips-Garcia and Sako were on a family road trip with his aunt, cousin and friend. The vehicle lost control and rolled down an embankment landing 100 metres into the woods.
Sako and Joseph were thrown from the car and the only survivors.
Joseph was unable to move due to a broken femur and collar bone. Sako fiercely guarded Joseph through the entire ordeal, laying near him to keep him warm and helping to drag him to a nearby creek so he could stay hydrated.
She patrolled the area to scare off coyotes and other dangerous predators who were circling the accident site.
Forty hours later Joseph was found in relatively good condition, thanks to Sako.
Bella from Windsor, Ont. and Nettle in Cambridge Ont. also received awards for their heroic deeds Monday.
Source: Purina
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