Jack

In 2003, Maya Pieters, a little girl from Willow Street, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with Congenital Bilateral Perisylvian Syndrome (CBPS), an extremely rare neurological condition that mainly affects the oral motor functions. A year after the diagnosis, her family visited their local shelter and adopted Jack, a terrier mix who had been rescued from a trash dumpster by a police officer. Jack and Maya developed an immediate bond that, nearly four years later, would save her life. On that fateful fall morning, Jack soundly slept downstairs in his open crate. He suddenly awoke and darted upstairs to Maya’s room where he began clawing and barking at the door. The little girl’s family recognized that Jack was desperately trying to alert them that something was very wrong. It turns out Maya was having her first Grand Mal seizure in her sleep. She was rushed to the emergency room and treated for a new CBPS symptom. When her parents brought her home, Jack stayed by the little girl’s side. Now, each time Maya has an epileptic event at home, Jack seems to sense it prior to its start. He has broken her fall and has even sat on top of her as she suffered a seizure. Thanks to Jack, the family can rest easier knowing that their daughter has her very own guardian angel.

Buffy

Buffy’s guardian, Will Bartley, had just returned home from work when he was approached by an armed man who pointed a gun at his chest and demanded money. He gave him all he had, but the assailant demanded more. At that point, Buffy, a 7-year-old German shepherd who had just made her way out to greet Will, sensed danger and lunged at the gunman. He responded by firing two shots, striking her once in the front leg. Despite her wound, Buffy pursued the gunman who eventually escaped. Thanks to Buffy, Will was left unscathed, but the dog’s condition was very serious. She lost a lot of blood, and the initial diagnosis indicated a strong chance that she would lose her leg. Surgery to repair it appeared successful, but about a month after the incident, an underlying kidney condition that was exacerbated by the injury eventually forced Buffy’s family to humanely euthanize her. Thanks to extensive media coverage in their Oakland, California community, Buffy’s family was not alone during the difficult journey. They received hundreds of letters lauding Buffy and wishing her well.

Bear

Bear’s two owners, Christopher E. Rogers Sr. and Elann Moren, were startled awake before dawn in a frightening way: Rogers Sr.’s 28-year-old son, Christopher Erin Rogers Jr., stood over them with a machete. Even as Erin hit him multiple times with the deadly blade, Rogers Sr. tried to fight back. When he finally collapsed, Erin turned his attention to Elann, his father’s fiancé, and began to attack her. According to friends and media reports, that’s when Bear, the couple’s 160-pound Mastiff mix, attacked the assailant and bit him, giving Elann a chance to escape to the bathroom where she was able to lock herself inside and call the police. His attack thwarted, Erin fled the Palmer, Alaska house and allegedly continued his 26-hour rampage in nearby Anchorage. Sadly, Rogers Sr. died from his injuries. While Elann suffered a dozen devastating slashes to her head, neck, and back, she survived in part because Bear, who suffered a split lip and a shattered tooth, slowed the attack and gave her a chance to escape the nightmare.

Anna

Early Thanksgiving morning, Anna, an adopted Australian cattle dog, barked and nudged her sleeping owner as flames quickly began to sweep through their Idaho City, Idaho mobile home. Finally waking her, Anna, two other dogs, and their guardian, Candace Jennings, were able to safely escape the burning home. As soon as they were outside, Candace realized that all of her work keys were still inside. With Anna by her side, she crawled back in to find them but became disoriented by the thick smoke and could not find her way out. Anna came to Candice’s rescue again by pushing and nudging her towards the door that led to safety. Thanks to the plucky herding dog who became an overnight media celebrity in their small mountain town, both escaped with minor burns just moments before the roof collapsed. The home was a total loss.