Pet dogs versus wild animals

Sometimes ordinary dogs become remarkable dogs in the right situation.

Ronnie a 9-year-old Fox Terrier was named Hero Dog of the Year by spcaLA, a rescue organization that gives awards to ordinary companion dogs who do extraordinary things.

Ronnie lives with Janis and Eric Christensen and their two other dogs in Orange County, California. Normally Ronnie is the shyest of the dogs, but he placed himself between a coyote and Janis when the coyote jumped a fence into the Christensens’ backyard last August.

The coyote bit Ronnie on his shoulder, but Ronnie bit back and chased the coyote out of sight.

According to spcaLA president Madeline Bernstein, his shy personality was part of the reason he was chosen. “Ronnie's personality was such that you wouldn't think he would spring into action like he did. This shows that treating your pet with love and respect can be returned by an amazing heroic act.”

And in a neighborhood in Wisconsin a wild bear was looking for a snack, but the family dog stood her ground and the bear beat a hasty retreat.

Notice that the bear first tries to figure out if the dog is playmate, threat or lunch.

NOTE TO DOGS: DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME UNLESS YOUR HUMANS HAVE YOUR BACK or it could be Bambi vs. Godzilla.

Comments

[cube]

Dogs are wonderful creatures. You never know what a dog will do in such a situation. Me, I like to have my dogs AND carry a gun. That way I'm ready for anything.

[gus, louie and callie]

Those dogs are real hero's. We didn't realize that the bears were moving farther South in Wisconsin. Mom and Dad have a cabin on the other side of Eau Clarie and we always say bears there as kids but not as far South as Portage...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

[Khyra]

Way to go!

We have a bear or two pass through our part of PA - usually a young male kikhked out by his mama to go find his own furamily -

Sadly, one of them was hit on the interstate last year -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

[Karen Friesecke]

That Ronnie is one brave dog! If the state governments would bring back bounties on coyotes, we wouldn't be having this problem. We're starting to have coyote run ins in Ontario, somebody's dog recently got snatched in Brampton.

[jackie]

brave doggie..

[Life With Dogs]

Don't you just love that bear video? I'm not sure who was more scared! :)

[Dennis the Vizsla]

"It's Bambi meets Godzilla, a 3-D free-for-all ..." Good work hero dogs!

[Anne Gibert]

Bears should stay where they belong, in the woods. Dogs are a help in warding them off, though I worry about how my toy poodles would come out in a contest. I think they might be faster than a bear, though. I think about these things when walking in the woods in Alaska.

[Faye]

Good for Ronnie! I love hearing these stories. The calm, mild-mannered pet leaps into action to protect its owners. Truly heartwarming - especially when you consider the risk of him being seriously injured or killed!

Just curious where the other, less shy, dogs were at the time? If they were back there with him (and only he chose to lead into action), or if they were somewhere else at the moment.