The Dog Hero: A True Animal Story

Kathie Vaughan was driving the used truck she had purchased that morning when it suddenly began to fishtail. She finally managed to bring the vehicle to a stop with a loud screech. But her troubles had just begun. The cabin interior was filling fast with noxious fumes and black smoke. Most people could have simply jumped out of the vehicle, but Kathie is a paraplegic–paralyzed from the waist down by multiple sclerosis. Her truck was on fire and she knew she could be blown up at any moment. Kathie shoved her Rottweiler Eve out the door, along with her wheelchair. But due to the thick black smoke, she could not find the wheels to the chair.

A throbbing panic overwhelmed her. She had to get out immediately, before the truck exploded. That’s when Eve, her dog, proved herself to be a true hero. Read the rest of the story here:

In danger of blacking out, Kathie suddenly felt Eve, refusing to desert her, grab her leg with her jaws. Eve firmly grasped Kathie by the ankle and dragged her ten feet to relative safety. Then the truck burst into flames. Ignoring the terrifying fire, Eve dragged Kathie to a nearby ditch.

A police car arrived on the scene. “You’ve got to get further away!” the policeman shouted to Kathie. The truck was on fire, the flames were approaching the gas tank; there was danger of a terrific explosion.

Kathie struggled to pull herself away from the truck and toward the police car. Her head and body ached with pain and she found she could hardly move. Eve bent close to her human friend, offering Kathie her collar. Then Kathie held tight as the determined dog dragged her forty feet to safety.

The firemen eventually extinguished the blaze. And Eve was awarded the prestigious Stillman Award for bravery.

Read more: Spirit, Inspiration

Adapted from Animal Angels, by Stephanie Laland (Conari Press, 1998). Copyright (c) 1998 by Stephanie Laland. Reprinted by permission of Conari Press.
Adapted from Animal Angels, by Stephanie Laland (Conari Press, 1998).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Laurita W.

8:33AM PST on Nov 23, 2011

made me cry...

send a green star

Melinda K.

4:18PM PDT on Nov 2, 2011

Beautiful story, amazing friendship and such a brave and smart dog.

Julia R.

3:32PM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

This is an amazing story! And this dogs is truly a heroine and an angel with 4 legs as so often dogs are. They never desert us when we need them the most even though us humans can't boast of the same loyalty and often betray these noble animals.

Dwds D.

3:50AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

where did this story occur?

Shar W.

3:16PM PDT on Jun 25, 2011

Eve is yet another example that:

"Dogs are miracles with paws." (Susan Kennedy)

Bon L.

4:29AM PST on Dec 30, 2010

Thanks for the info.

ANITA D.

12:08PM PST on Dec 22, 2009

I will NEVER forget this beautiful story! Eve is a true HEROINE!