Hero Dog Saves Couple

Published: December 4, 2006 | 5127th good news item since 2003

A seven year old German Shephard -Timberwolf mixed dog named Shana is quite a canine hero in Alden, New York, as the story spreads of her efforts to save her owners during the October surprise storm. [Search and Rescue Dogs: Training the K-9 Hero, Second Edition]

Eve and Norman Fertig, who are both 81 years old, were out treating injured birds in the Wildlife Sanctuary on their Alden property on the night of October 12th. They left as the storm intensified but, were soon trapped by falling trees and heavy snow as they tried to walk back to their home. Eve realized they could die in the bitter cold but, fortunately, Shana was with them.

As the cold and snow chilled them both without heavy coats and gloves, Shana started digging under the snow and trees.

The dog actually dug a foot wide tunnel about 20 feet to the home.

Shana barked but, the couple hesistated, so they say the dog came back and tugged on Eve’s jacket.

She says the 160 pound dog actually pulled her onto its broad back and crawled through the tunnel.

Her husband held on as well as they slowly crawled all the way back to their home.

They made it back to the back deck, opened their door and fell in to the house exhausted but safe.

Published in Animals
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