Thursday September 18, 2008, 6:16 pm

“Hi everyone! My five children witnessed a dog attack in 2007 whilst walking with our neighbour’s dog. His name was “George”. He was a 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier with the kindest eyes, and purest heart. The dogs that attacked him had pursued my children, and George threw his life on the line, to stop them succeeding in harming my kids. George was so badly mauled that he had to be put down.

“The reality of it all is so overwhelming, knowing if it were not for George, I could have lost one of my children. He blessed our family with a second chance to do what we can do, to make a positive difference in life. The dogs that attacked him were bored. With their owners both working it meant often they had to be restrained and left home alone. I neither blame the dogs, nor their owners for what happened. It is the need or greed for money that often is the underlining cause that lead to dog attacks. A human problem that our pets often pay the price for, but that’s just my opinion.

“Anyway, I love dogs. I love animals and of course, people. I’m not the perfect pet-owner, parent or person, but I do the best I can, learning from my mistakes along the way.”

Erica Veale
http://my.care2.com/skytiger
New Zealand

Thursday September 18, 2008, 7:17 pm
Thank you so much for this touching story,Dave, Erica. It brings tears to my eyes. I do believe that in some ways each of my dogs has saved my life my soul just by being there I there was a time I had no one in my life and it was very hard. My special friend Winter had passed and I had no furbabies I cried every night I loved so It was always her and I against the world. Now I was Alone.I looked at all the shelters Aspca Etc. Nothing..Then one day I went The woman almost begged me to take this little mangie looking dog named "DOGDOG" Well he really did not want want to come to me to much but now the guy in the picture Doogie Bowser is by my side always.He is my protector but not as much as his sister
Bella who sleeps at the bedroom door.Thanks,Dave .

Thursday September 18, 2008, 7:17 pm
Such a brave little hero. RIP Sweet George. So heartbreaking. Noted with sadness. Thanks Dave.

Thursday September 18, 2008, 7:39 pm
What a touching (albeit....very sad) story about HERO GEORGE!! Dog attacks are absolutely HORRIFYING...having been through 2 myself with one of my dogs....God Bless dear little George...

Friday September 19, 2008, 5:23 am
What a heartwarming story, it made me cry.

Friday September 19, 2008, 6:48 am
what a good friend and protector George was, thanks Dave

Friday September 19, 2008, 10:26 pm
Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking story of George, the HERO! I believe that he did the most loving deed possible. I suggest you read "Tribute To A Dog"...this is what George reminds mo of.

Friday September 19, 2008, 10:41 pm
Noted and thank you Erica and Dave for sharing this story of the beautiful little hero dog George. It made me cry. Animals are truly amazing and so loyal.

Friday September 19, 2008, 11:45 pm
What a Magnificent Story & Dog.Brought tears to me , as i also remembered my dog SAMBO who was also killed years ago Defending me & my Brother...Thank you Very much for sharing it.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 12:05 am

Yes, it's unnerving to contemplate George turning back to face a pair of fearsome muscle dogs charging at full battle speed. If anyone knows what it means to face a pair of fighting dogs in face-to-face combat, it's another dog -- especially a dog with 14 years of life experience added to the accumulated wisdom of several million years of canid evolution. (World of the Wolf - Evolution, Evolutionary Tree of the Wolf.)

Saturday September 20, 2008, 12:33 am
Thank you, Erica and Dave and most of all, George!

A Hero!

Saturday September 20, 2008, 1:47 am
Thanks for sharing this story Dave. It is such a shame that poor George had to lose his life but what a brave little soul he was. God bless him.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 2:27 am
Ah bless poor George, I have tears in my eyes typing this. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Dave

Rest in peace dear George, Our hero x x x

Saturday September 20, 2008, 2:45 am
Thank you Dave! Truly a brave dog!

Saturday September 20, 2008, 3:28 am
THANK YOU DAVE, FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL/SAD STORY ABOUT THIS COURAGEOUS DOG GEORGE! AND THE PRICE FOR IT, WAS HIS LIFE! - ABOUT PITBULLS BEING SO AGRESSIVES... WELL, THEY ARE WHAT PEOPLE MAKE OUT OF THEM!

Saturday September 20, 2008, 3:41 am
Thanks for a sweet story of a truly brave little dog. Thanks Dave for sharing. Noted.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 8:47 am
It's a very sad story...George was, is and will a big HERO!!!!

Saturday September 20, 2008, 9:01 am
Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful friend George was! Also brought tears to my eyes.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 9:12 am
THANK YOU DAVE & ERICA FOR THIS WONDERFUL STORY--THEY SAY GOD WORKS IN MYSRERIOUS WAYS AND A CHILD WAS SAVED THAT DAY BY A BRAVE LITTLE SOUL NAMED "GEORGE".

Saturday September 20, 2008, 9:19 am
Noted with sad thanks Dave. What a great dog who I'm sure will never be forgotten.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 11:44 am
A little dog but with a biggest heart and even a mountain of courage, may he hold his head up high over the rainbow bridge,
bless his heart and his memory lives on
for George the Brave.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 11:46 am
george you magnificent little animal. blessings on you ~

Saturday September 20, 2008, 11:58 am
poor george he deserves an award God bless the little fellow

Saturday September 20, 2008, 12:27 pm
It will be one year next month that I lost my dog to an attack by another dog ( he was killed) My heart goes out to this courageous dog ~ George~ and to the family that lost a very loving and loyal member. Thank you Dave

Saturday September 20, 2008, 1:21 pm
Thank God George was there and sussed up the situation and knew just what to do. Does not surprise me that he was a Jack Russel-most of them that I have met have been very brave. I'm so sorry George had to lose his life being a hero that day.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 2:01 pm
noted, TX Dave and Erica for sharing this wonderful yet sad story. RIP dear, brave, loving and loyal GEORGE.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 3:47 pm
noted with tears...Thank you so much for this touching story,Dave
Rest in peace dear George, Our Hero x x x

Saturday September 20, 2008, 4:57 pm
remember all dogs go to heaven

Saturday September 20, 2008, 7:43 pm
This is sad indeed and a beautiful tribute! BUT did you see what she (or he) does for a living?

"As a knifehand, cutting out spinal cords from beef carcasses at my job, all day,..."


This is a line from their website http://herodog.bravehost.com/worldwide.html

Saturday September 20, 2008, 7:51 pm
What a story, Dave, the little dog saved their lives, and he would not have had it any other way. bless him. thankx and noted.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 8:35 pm
I am sobbing as I am typing this... Thank you so much for sharing the story of that wonderful little hero, George. That is exactly what my German Shepherd, "Prince Velvet" who I lost to cancer in 1988 would of done for me. Thank you again, Dave.

Saturday September 20, 2008, 11:36 pm
As a pitbull owner, this really saddens me. George should not have died and the pits should not have attacked. I am sorry for all the families involved as this is such a horrible story. You all have my condolences.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 6:05 am
I'm afraid that I blame the owners of the pitbulls for the attack on such a brave little dog. I'm not saying that they shouldn't have pets but if their circumstances do not allow them to exercise and properly train their pets then they should not have pitbulls. Also, the dogs should be kept in a secure cage if the owners are not around during the day.

Dogs of all sizes need exercise. They also need proper training and affection. There is an excellent American series on UK television called the Dog Whisperer. He goes into homes where the dogs have behavioural problems and show the OWNERS how THEIR behaviour causes the problems. There have been a couple of programmes where there was no way that the owner was at fault, one of them was a rescue dog where it had been in a laboratory for 6 years from a pup and had been totally "dehumanised". Other than that, it has been how the owners don't understand how to treat dogs as dogs.

Dogs require a huge commitment, this story shows an extreme version of what happens when the owners don't. I am pleased to hear that all of the choldren were safe and offer my condolences at the loss of George, a much loved member of the household.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 6:39 am
Lovely story

Sunday September 21, 2008, 6:47 am
Rest in peace my sweet hero George.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 1:23 pm
GOOD BYE SWEET GEORGE YOU WALK BESIDE YOUR CREATOR NOW AND THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE. UNTILL WE ALL GET TO MEET YOU IN HEAVEN, WITH LOVE.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 2:07 pm
Thank you Dave for telling us about George. He was a brave dog and loved his family. I know he is missed very much just hold him dear in your heart and all the good memories which I know you do. Thank you George for being the Hero you were and still are.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 2:13 pm
This had to be hard to write because I couldn't finish reading it. I,too have a pit and ridgeback. I,too, blame the owners of the pits. All dogs must be watched, not just pits but any kind of pack dogs. My heart goes out to all of you and of course, there is a special place in heaven for this sweet little dog.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 6:10 pm
Noted. Thanks for posting.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 8:12 pm
It such a wonderful gift for a trusting friend as George to give his life to save the ones he loves,,, he was a VERY SPECIAL canine.. thanks for a warming but truly sad story George did what he was truly borne to do ... Protect..noted .. Candle lit for George,,, :-)

Sunday September 21, 2008, 11:09 pm
I remember this story. I am still crying. What a special dog.

Monday September 22, 2008, 4:27 am
I'm almost speechless at the total and utter heroism displayed by this special sweet little dog. I hope you're resting in peace George, over the rainbow, enjoying all the treats such a true soul deserves and I hope you know just how many people reaslise how wonderful you are.

Monday September 22, 2008, 5:12 am
George, may you rest in peace... You have sacrificed your own life to safe the lives of the children, and your heroics shall always be remembered and cherished by us all...

Monday September 22, 2008, 9:22 am
Something someone sent to There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.

When a beloved pet dies, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.


There are meadows and hills with lush green grass for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.



The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing ... they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.


They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers.


Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.


The happy kisses rain upon your face. Your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


You then cross Rainbow Bridge together .....


me and now I am sending it to you. I hope.

Monday September 22, 2008, 9:24 am
Sorry, the text didn't post as I had hoped, but I think you will get most of it.

Monday September 22, 2008, 10:58 am
what a brave dog

Monday September 22, 2008, 11:40 am
Thanks Dave for sharing this story and for letting George be the hero he truly is. Very sad. Hugs to all of you.

Monday September 22, 2008, 4:52 pm
thank you for sharing your story
George is a hero

Monday September 22, 2008, 6:50 pm

David, this brought a tears to my eyes, thank you for sharing with all of us :)

Tuesday September 23, 2008, 3:44 pm
Thank you Dave for putting this up.I remeber this and crid my eyes out just as I am doing now.

Tuesday September 23, 2008, 8:33 pm
Poor brave little pup. Thank you for sharing.

Wednesday September 24, 2008, 8:30 am
This is so sad..bless his heart... what a brave little guy...

Wednesday September 24, 2008, 4:44 pm
I am not surprised that a dog would give his life for his "people". All the more reason to adopt a dog (or cat) from a shelter and save a life. With huge numbers being killed daily all across the US and world, it's the least we can do.

Thursday September 25, 2008, 6:36 pm
This is exactly why I love animals far more than "humanity" It is why my 17 critters come before anyone or anything else!

Friday October 3, 2008, 3:28 am
the owners of the pitts are responsible for this killing, I see no reason for their attack other than they were trained that way. they were going after the children! the bravest of dogs George was, what a hero, rest in the arms of angels, George!
ty Dave and Erica

Friday October 10, 2008, 9:07 am
Thank you, Dave and Erica, for sharing this. I will always remember Hero George, and I will look for him when I meet my "Yosha" at Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure George is among all the other 'Hero' animals in that special place. What brave and wonderful companions we all had who gave up their lives, without question, for the sake of their owners.

Saturday July 25, 2009, 1:23 pm
is a hero!!!!
poor little dog :(
tragic history!