Humanity’s Best Friend
Dogs are often considered humanity’s best friend. There are debates as to what makes them so special, but what’s better than just showing off a few great stories?
From two different examples of dogs saving dozens of people from either snow or water to canines that managed to get themselves enlisted in the Royal Navy, here are some of the best dogs from history.
1. A Rescue Dog
Swansea Jack was a black labrador that lived in Wales, England. He was just an ordinary dog until one day, in the 1930s, a boy, as well as a few others, fell into a nearby river.
The pup didn’t hesitate and leaped into the water to save the boy. After he had dragged him to safety, Swansea Jack jumped back in to save the rest of the people who were in the river. Swansea Jack was awarded the silver cup of bravery.
2. Navy Dog
A dog from South Africa achieved something that no other dog had ever gotten. He was enlisted into the Royal Navy but for the weirdest reason. The Great Dane couldn’t help but follow around the sailors stationed at Cape Town’s naval bases and docks.
This got to the point that he would board trains just to follow them. Unfortunately, the conductor didn’t allow dogs on the train and would kick him off. They made a plea with the Navy, and they decided to enlist the dog because members of the Navy got free train rides.
3. Friendly Dog
Peggy, the dog, liked to do something that seemed ironic now. She had a habit of adopting other animals that were in need. The most bizarre case was when Peggy saved a chick from a neighborhood cat. She ensured that the chick was safe before leaving it be.
Soon after saving the chick, Peggy must have taken a liking to it because they became inseparable friends. It shows that some dogs are so friendly that they’ll be friends with everyone.
4. Barry The Saint Bernard
A dog born and raised by monks at the Saint Bernard Pass is our next heroic pooch. He was raised to save dozens of lives and be mobilized whenever he got word someone hadn’t made it to safety.
In his twelve years of service, had managed to save more than 40 people that got lost or were engulfed in the heavy snow. But his greatest feat was when he saved a boy.
5. Snake Fighter
A Doberman Pinscher in 1932 did something truly heroic. Myra saw a 3-year-old trying to pick a flow off of a bush. She saw something that he didn’t and held him back.
There was a snake nearby, and after it got aggressive she jumped to defend the toddler. She ended up killing the rattlesnake that was underneath the bush and right by the child.
6. Fire Fighter
The year was 1948, and a dog named Susie noticed that a house had caught on fire. She knew that there was an adolescent stuck inside. They were alone and asleep and desperately needed help.
Susie sprang into action and dug into the ground by the house to get in. She got to the adolescent and managed to get them out of the house just in time.
7. River Save
Skippy the dog noticed two people struggling in a river in 1938. He knew that he had to do something. He used his size to his advantage and jump into the river.
The large dog managed to get one of the women to grab onto him while the other woman held onto her friend. He managed to paddle both back to the river bank.
8. Running To Get Help
A dog noticed that his owner was suffocating in 1937 and knew he needed to help his owner. His owner managed to scrawl a note for help and put it on his collar before he rang out of the house.
He managed to get the attention of a pastor, and they got back to her with medical attention in time. It turned out that she had eaten a poisonous toadstool.
9. A Long Walk
Bosco was a lovable dog, but in 1945, he got lost in California and couldn’t find his owner. The dog was in trouble, being over 2000 miles from home. The dog was determined to make his way home.
Bosco somehow remembered where he lived and started the long walk back home. Over six months later, he arrived at his owner’s doorstep where they were finally reunited.
Source:
We found history’s most heroic hounds in celebration of National Pet Day.
