Post by Kelley on Jan 10, 2005 6:21:43 GMT 9.5
Gator- Fighting Dog is 'Dog Hero of the Year'
LABELLE, FL (USA) — Since 1954, Heinz Pet Products has been honoring a different life-saving dog each year, from dogs who have alerted homeowners to fires, pulled drowning victims from lakes, found lost children and protected people from other potentially fatal hazards. But, says John Essegian, general manager of Heinz Pet Products, "the contest has never had a winner who fought an alligator—he's a very brave dog."
This year's award goes to "Blue", an Australian Blue Heeler who saved Ruth Gay, 85, from an alligator attack behind her house (read The Scoop, Jul. 30, 2001, "True Blue"). Ms. Gay was walking Blue one evening when she slipped and fell, breaking her nose and dislocating her shoulder. The woman lay incapacitated and yelling for help, but the only one responding to her cries was a hungry predator. She didn't know this at the time and merely noted that Blue suddenly lit up, growled and charged into the darkness.
Nearly an hour later, Ms. Gay's daughter and son-in-law arrived home and were met with the excited dog who led them to the spot where Ruth had fallen. The woman was rushed to the hospital, and afterward, Blue was taken to an animal clinic, where only then it was discovered that the faithful dog had survived and ultimately diverted a vicious alligator attack.
Blue received a one-year's supply of doggie treats, $500 cash, a $100 gift-certificate to Blue's veterinary clinic for his ongoing care and a specially engraved Dog Hero food bowl.
LABELLE, FL (USA) — Since 1954, Heinz Pet Products has been honoring a different life-saving dog each year, from dogs who have alerted homeowners to fires, pulled drowning victims from lakes, found lost children and protected people from other potentially fatal hazards. But, says John Essegian, general manager of Heinz Pet Products, "the contest has never had a winner who fought an alligator—he's a very brave dog."
This year's award goes to "Blue", an Australian Blue Heeler who saved Ruth Gay, 85, from an alligator attack behind her house (read The Scoop, Jul. 30, 2001, "True Blue"). Ms. Gay was walking Blue one evening when she slipped and fell, breaking her nose and dislocating her shoulder. The woman lay incapacitated and yelling for help, but the only one responding to her cries was a hungry predator. She didn't know this at the time and merely noted that Blue suddenly lit up, growled and charged into the darkness.
Nearly an hour later, Ms. Gay's daughter and son-in-law arrived home and were met with the excited dog who led them to the spot where Ruth had fallen. The woman was rushed to the hospital, and afterward, Blue was taken to an animal clinic, where only then it was discovered that the faithful dog had survived and ultimately diverted a vicious alligator attack.
Blue received a one-year's supply of doggie treats, $500 cash, a $100 gift-certificate to Blue's veterinary clinic for his ongoing care and a specially engraved Dog Hero food bowl.