Each of these stories about the importance and depth of a dog’s love for its human companion is sure to tug at your heartstrings. Dogs are not just pets! They’re friends, they’re family, and in some cases, they can save lives.
Read on for five truly amazing stories that will show you just how inspirational dogs can be when it comes to their devotion to humans.
1) The Incredible Journey
This story tells what happens when three canine companions become lost after their owner dies during a hiking trip in New England. Against all odds and with help from strangers along the way, the dogs make it home safely with one final push from an unlikely source — a kindly fisherman who lends them his boat so they can cross a river near their home.
2) The Dog Who Waited Two Years to Reunite with His Owner
This touching tale is about a dog who waited outside his owner’s house for over two years, never wavering in his faith that the man would return home one day. The best part? It actually worked! A stranger noticed the dog sitting patiently outside and posted a picture of him on Twitter with the caption, “This dog waited for 2 years outside his owners home. He died just this morning.” The story was then picked up by various news outlets and shared thousands of times over.
3) A 14-Year-Old with Cancer Finally Meets His Service Dog Before Dying
This heartwarming story tells of a 14-year-old with terminal cancer who was finally reunited with his service dog, Sirius. Fittingly named after the star that leads sailors to port, Sirius had helped Grant fulfill one crucial need during his illness: emotional support. The two had been separated for six months due to quarantine laws surrounding Sirius’ training, but they were finally reunited just before the young man died. Grant’s mother posted about their amazing bond on Facebook after she was finally able to bring her son home for his final days, saying:
“Grant got to come home today and be with his family for the first time since he got sick. We all got to give him a bath in the sink and one last family hug in our own home. He got to see sunshine after two long years.”
4) The Dog That Tried to Save its Owner from a Fire by Dragging Her out of Bed
In this, sadly short but inspiring story, a dog was able to rouse its owner from sleep when a fire broke out at their home. The dog was able to drag the unconscious woman from her bed and outside, giving her time to recover before going back inside to try and rescue a second person who was still trapped inside. Sadly, he didn’t make it back in time to save that person as well.
5) A Dog Thwarts a Home Invasion by Attacking the Intruder
A 16-year-old boy was home alone when he heard suspicious noises coming from his parents’ bedroom. He grabbed his German Shepherd, Rex, and the two went to investigate. Upon seeing an intruder in their room, Rex lunged toward him and attacked. The would-be robber fled the scene, but police were able to track him down soon after thanks in part to the teen’s description of his car.
We hope that you enjoyed each of these famous dog stories of all time, and hope that it inspires you to look at dogs through a whole new lens.