A golden retriever from Lucerne, Calif., has been recognized as a finalist in the inaugural Dogs of Valor Award competition. Buster is a service dog who woke his family during a house fire.
Buster has been trained to help his owner, Chris Sorenson, who suffers from glaucoma, blindness in one eye and a heart condition. Buster was chosen as a finalist in the working dog category by a panel of celebrity judges that included Martina Navratilova, Candy Spelling and Tamar Geller. The panel selected Buster because of the extraordinary determination he demonstrated when he tried to wake Sorenson to alert him to the fire.
As the family slept early last Thanksgiving, the 9-year-old dog jumped on Sorenson’s back and barked. Sorenson immediately woke to find that an electrical wall outlet had exploded and was shooting flames and sparks into the air. After evacuating his wife, three children and Buster, Sorenson, a former fire fighter, was able to shut off the electricity to the house so the fire did not spread. Buster’s quick recognition of danger and action prevented what could have become a tragedy.
Paul Bruce of The HSUS’ West Coast regional office presented a certificate to Buster and his family last week at a ceremony held at the Lakeport (Calif.) Animal Shelter. “Buster is a true friend and family member who exemplifies what this award is all about,” said Bruce. “His loyalty and courage in the face of danger make him a Dog of Valor.”
Along with the framed certificate, Buster and his family received an original sterling silver Dogs of Valor tag designed by California’s Bella Tocca Tags and a hand-crafted dog wall clock from Humane Domain, The HSUS’ online store.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 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.
