Sunday

The wolf is one of the most loyal of animals. To his pack and mate, the wolf remains steadfast and loving and extremely loyal. He will hunt food for the good of the pack. He will bring food to the female alpha wolf while she cannot hunt because she cares for puppies in her den. The wolf will attack and defend his territory as this is the home and hunting grounds of his pack. The wolf will lay down his life in defense of those that he loves.

So it is because of the wolf that it comes to no surprise that the dog who is the direct descendant of the wolf, would also share this wonderful quality of loyalty. The dog has long been the best friend of man for many thousands of years. He has been there to help hunt for food and to guard man's flocks and herds against danger. He has been there to protect his human family and to give love and comfort when it is needed.

There have been many accounts of the heroic loyalty of the dog. Many have been written down, others remain etched in the hearts of those who have loved the dog. These accounts have come from all over the world, from all walks of life and in every type of scenario possible. Dogs have many times been known to alert and wake their owner during a fire in the home. They have chased away attacks on their loved ones from both human and beast. Dogs have bravely walked the paths of danger with law enforcement officers and soldiers alike in the battlefields at home and abroad and many times have laid down their lives without a thought to their own safety.

The following story is one that will touch your heart deeply on this day of remembrance of the tragedy of 9/11. It is the touching account of one brave dog who was with his owner on that day in one of the twin towers. The dog was there as a guide dog for his beloved owner who is blind. As you read this story you will once again be in awe of a creature so loyal such as the dog to the ones he loves. Never forget the lesson that this story teaches us - keep it with you always for if mankind could begin to even feel a fraction of the loyalty towards others as does the dog the world would be a much better place.

Mr. Rivera describes the drama:

"I stood up and I could hear how pieces of glass were flying around and falling. I could feel the smoke filling up my lungs and the heat was just unbearable.

"Not having any sight I knew I wouldn't be able to run down the stairs and through all the obstacles like other people. I was resigned to dying and decided to free Dorado to give him a chance of escape. It wasn't fair that we should both die in that hell.

"I thought I was lost forever—the noise and the heat were terrifying—but I had to give Dorado the chance of escape. So I unclipped his lead, ruffled his head, gave him a nudge and ordered Dorado to go.

"I hoped he would be able to quickly run down the stairs without me and get to safety. I thought he'd be so scared he'd run. Everything was in chaos. Glass was shattering around my head and people were rushing past down the stairs."

At that point, Dorado was swept away by the rush of people fleeing down the stairs, and Mr. Rivera found himself on his own for several minutes amid the pandemonium. But then the unexpected occurred, in the form of a familiar, fuzzy nudge from knee-high.

Mr. Rivera explains, "He returned to my side a few minutes later and guided me down 70 flights and out into the street, it was amazing. It was then I knew for certain he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was prepared to die in the hope he might save my life."

Inside the egress stairwell, they found some additional assistance from a co-worker. "I took hold of her arm. She went down on my right side and the dog on my left," says Mr. Rivera.

The narrow stairwell was extremely crowded, and confusion exacerbated the situation. "People were pushing and shoving past me. Everywhere there was a sense of terror."

But according to the man, order gradually prevailed: "...most people behaved quite prudently and grasped what was happening, so we walked down in an orderly fashion, but it was slow going. It was slow going because there were so many people struggling to get out but Dorado kept nudging me down step by step."

It took more than an hour for Dorado, Mr. Rivera and his co-worker to descend those 70 flights of stairs. Not long after they had reached the ground and gotten to safety, the tower collapsed.

Says Mr. Rivera, "I owe my life to Dorado—my companion and best friend."

Source: dogsinthenews.com

Responses to "The heroic loyalty of one dog towards his owner on 9/11"

  1. Anonymous says:

    I cant stop crying.

  2. Anonymous says:

    This is Bravery, Devotion and Love.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It's a beautiful story but according to SNOPES it is false. Still, I believe animals are brave heroes when we need them.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Actually according to snopes, this story is true. There is another story, about a dog named Daisy, which is false.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Animals are a precious gift from God thank become one and friend with it's owner and sometimes that unknown person that is in need of comfort.

  6. Anonymous says:

    omg. so touching. wonderful story. thanks for sharing.

  7. Anonymous says:

    My dad has a Guide Dog and they are wonderful animals not only does he guide my dad around he is also his best friend. Yes dogs are wonderful proctors in times of need.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Wonderful, wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing !!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Does anyone know if Dorado is still alive? I's just wondering, so many of the SAR dogs have passed I wonder if he is still alive. Wonderful example of the love and connection they have with us as well as we with them.
    Kathy Mitchell-Wales

  10. grace says:

    I wonder how to know where the dogs that helped after 9/11 at ground o are and how to contact their owners...??

  11. Laine says:

    Total Commitment and loyalty of a friend and companion an animal is there for you with all the unconditional love that more people could learn from them.

  12. Anonymous says:

    it shows how much love and bravery the dog had for its owner what a wonderful story thanks for sharing it

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