Dumpster dog saves little girl’s life

Jack the Terrier mix doesn’t know that he was once thrown into a dumpster and left to die. He doesn’t know that he was nominated for the humane society’s Valor Dog of the Year.

But he does know that he is loved by his family and the little girl whose life he saved on more than one occasion.

Eight-year-old Maya Pieters has a rare disease that affects her speech and swallowing and causes seizures. Because of her speech problems, Maya became withdrawn and showed little progress. Her speech therapist suggested that a dog might serve as Maya’s companion and help overcome her shyness.

After months of searching they found Jack at the Humane League of Lancaster County in 2004. It seemed to be love at first sight. The bond between the two proved to be more than just companionship, as Maya’s motor skills increased dramatically.

Then one morning last year Jack leaped from his crate and ran up to Maya’s room. He began to claw and bark at the closed door until the family went into the room and found Maya having her first seizure in her sleep. Jack probably saved Maya’s life that day.

Since that first episode, Maya has suffered other seizures. Each time, Jack has been able to preemptively sense when Maya is about to have a seizure. He has broken her fall, sat on top of her to help settle her convulsing body, and when she finally wakes up, licks her tears dry.

Competing against heroic dogs across the country Jack won the People’s Choice award. Complete story.

Thanks, Pam

Comments

[schnoodlepooh]

that's such a sweet story. i don't understand why someone would put a dog in a dumpster. and this particular dog sounds like an angel. i really hope that karma gets whoever dumped the dog.

[Tom and Icy]

Dogs really care about others, especially humans. Icy even worries about the cat when it goes outside in the freezing cold and wants back in, but the humans can't hear it, so Icy barks and scratches at the door until we come let the cat in.

[Jimmy]

Ya done gone and made my eyes leak! Good un!!!!

[Wendy]

A perfect convergence of events for both dog and child. I'm glad I'm not the only one that cried a little (happy tears) reading the story.

[Khyra]

The link didn't work but I found it via Google...

Lankhaster khounty is the next one to the east of ME! One of my mom's other Sibes was adopted from there but then Mom 'reskhued' her from someone that khouldn't take khare of her.

That is such a grrrrreat story!

Tank woo fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[j]

those are the kind of stories that make you weep.

[Therese]

What a wonderful story. Hopefully it'll make someone think twice about where to get their new dog and find their new family member at a shelter!

[Biggie-Z]

that is such a sweet story. Dogs really have some amazing intuition.

[Fred]

This is a great story. It amazes me that the dog didn't even need any training to detect the seizures and to understand that something was wrong.

[Col]

I love stories like this. :-)