Suzie, a Newark, Tex. firefighter's dog, can add another lifesaving trophy to her case now that The Humane Society of the United States has named the fetching Labrador retriever its 2007 Humane Hero.
In an on-line voting poll, visitors to The Humane Society of the United States' website, at humanesociety.org, picked Suzie out of five good Samaritans – both animal and human – whose humane deeds captured headlines and hearts in 2007.
"This contest featured real-life hero stories proving that Americans have huge hearts and unending love for their animals. Our winner, Suzie Cromer, demonstrated extraordinary courage and kindness, which goes to show how far pets will go to express their love and affection for us," said Dale Bartlett, The HSUS' deputy manager for animal cruelty issues.
Suzie's case was particularly heart-warming: In February 2007, Suzie was instructed to carry towels and hot packs to a shivering man stuck in mud at Texas' Eagle Mountain Lake, saving him from hypothermia. As the man was being pulled by a rope from the slop, Suzie comforted the man’s infant son. Suzie’s owner, Newark Volunteer Fire Department Officer Chris Cromer, says Suzie’s actions were all in a day’s work. For that, The HSUS gives her a sincere pat on the head.
Suzie received a certificate from The HSUS honoring her for her good work.
Also in contention were Marius Mironescu, a Coney Island lifeguard who saved a shark from tormentors; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Brown, who rescued two puppies while serving in Saudi Arabia; Mo, a housecat who alerted her family in time to escape a fire that destroyed their home and a group of California commuters who helped save a black bear from falling off a bridge.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
