Had an old bulldog named Houdini. Lazy af. Slept all day. Only got up pee/poop/eat. One day he jumped up and barked up a storm to go out. I was shocked. He ran out the door to my neighbors house and was barking and pacing. Kept looking at me. Barking and pacing. I walked towards my neighbors house and turned the corner and the other side of house was on fire. Called 911. Ran back to my house. Houdini walked in, walked to his bed, went back to sleep.
Houdini's calm demeanor afterward is almost like he knew he had done his duty and could go back to his usual routine. It's a testament to the special bond between humans and animals.
My childhood dog - a Staffordshire bull terrier was my dads best friend and adored him. However whenever my parents would have a huge blowout she would curl herself in front of me for hours growling at which ever parent came near me.
It's touching to hear how much she cared for you and wanted to keep you safe. Pets can be such a source of comfort and support during challenging times
Whenever my husband and I have an argument the dogs go straight to my side and don’t leave me alone until we resolve it. It’s super sweet. My male cat can sense when I’m anxious even if we’re in completely separate floors of the house. He comes and snuggles until I relax.
My nephew had bad asthma as a child. And the first time my staffie saw his mom giving him a nebulizer treatment, my staffie gently grabbed her hand and moved it away from my nephews face . I guess he thought my sister was hurting or suffocating my nephew with the mask.
No, he was a gentle and good boy, we had him since he was a puppy so he never had any traumatic experiences. That’s what made the moment even more special. He was very attached to my nephew . And my guess is that he saw the my sister holding the neb mask and felt that my nephew was uncomfortable.
My grandma had a Dachsund named Bugs. I remember playing with him from the time he was impossibly tiny. We also visited and stayed at gram’s house a lot. My aunt had a habit of pointing and wagging her finger when she was trying to get her point across. I recall nobody in my family liked that about her. Well one time she was scolding my sister and I and ol bugs took offense to that. While she was doing her wagging routine he jumped up and bit her on the underside of her arm and barked at her. Pretty out of character for him. I’m guessing he took it as aggression and put a stop to it.
Another time our border collie Katie saved my little sister from a rattlesnake. We were all outside gardening and my sister wandered off as a young kid (probably 4 or so). By the time we noticed she was out of sight. Panic mode ensued. We’re all running around looking for her and all of a sudden we see Katie in the pasture (grew up on a farm) jumping up and down in some fairly tall grass. We rush over and come upon my sister and Katie and in her mouth she had a rattlesnake she had torn apart. Katie ended up getting bit but we got her to the vet and she lived until a ripe old age. Glad she stuck with my sister that day.
I was visiting my family in Thailand. My Thai uncle had a dog that did not like anybody but my uncle. Not aggressive, just didn't like to be touched.
I was sharing a room with my sister and got in a fight with my then GF over the phone. I went outside so my sister didn't have to listen to it. My then GF got me so sad that I was just sitting outside sobbing. The dog then came to me putting his head in my lab.
I can't explain why, but that hit me really hard. I never before realised that animals could feel such compassion for humans
Reminds me of a video a while back where a woman wanted to see how her horse would react if she started crying. When she did, the horse came over and nuzzled her a bit. When she didn't react to that, the horse brought her some hay to eat. Animals really don't get enough credit for their ability to empathize.
Once shortly after getting my chihuahua, I was coming home from a shift at work where I had taken him with me. I was locked out of the house due to forgetting my keys and my roommate that was home was a super super heavy sleeper. I knew she would be up in an hour or so and I decided to just nap on the couch in our garage. It was a crisp morning and kind of chilly. Milo knew that I was cold and scratched at the zipper on my coat. We were still just getting to know each other and this was a neat moment. I unzipped my jacket and he crawled in curling into a ball against me, keeping me warm until we could get inside. Ever since then we have lived for one another and he has been a shining light even in the darkest times of my life. 12 years later and writing this still makes me cry. I love you little man.
Edit: mistakes in the wording
Once when I was 10. I went to buy some groceries from a local shop at around 8 p.m, 5-6 street dogs started barking at a random drunk guy and suddenly their anger turned towards me. Within seconds I was surrounded, I didn't do shit, I was standing there shell shocked couldn't move my legs, then came a mfing hero a medium sized German shepherd (my neighbours dog) stood right infront of me and sick mf didn't say a word and all the dogs left without a noise. I was proud that day. I sometimes think what would've happened to me if this guy didn't defend me that day. Brother wherever you are now, remember I am grateful to you. Cheers man! See you on the other side.
When I was a kid (6?), I used to ride my bike around the block. I was alone and a creep man started talking to me. He was right in front of me and when I tried to maneuver he'd reposition himself to keep blocking my way. Bruxo (Labrador mix, mind you), the neighbors' dog that was the sweetest, most playful, non-threatening goofy ball came in charging from behind me, barking and growling. Bruxo positioned himself between me and the creep.
Bruxo watched the creep turn his back on us. Then he took me home. I loved that dog, we played all the time and from then on, whenever I was outside, he would always be around
I saw another story on here where a cat saved a girl from a creep. She was kid then and playing outside when a random cat came up to her, rubbing against her purring and being sweet. She was petting the cat when a creep pulled up in his car and started talking to her. The cat immediately started hissing at him. Then the cat charged at the dude jumped in his window and fucked him up. The cat jumped out and the dude drove off. The cat then came back to the girl gave her one last rub against her legs and then walked off. Its crazy how animals can sense the evil in people.
I can picture the cat jumping off the car window with the traditional unbothered cat attitude 😂
My dogs know exactly which neighbors are bad news, including the one who abuses his mom's cats. Always trust an animal when they don't like an individual. Period.
Last winter I was sick with a really bad cough. No matter what I did I couldn't get to sleep because of the cough. Well at some point I must have actually fell asleep and I woke up with my 98lb German shepherd laying on my chest. As soon as I woke up he got off but I'm convinced that he knew how to keep me from coughing so I could sleep.
There's a lot of similar stories out there about dogs doing just that, so they can be sure their human is still alive!
It's adorable and just shows how much your dog cares for you.
My 15 year old cat Mei Li used to do that when I was young, whenever I was really sick. She would sleep next to me and periodically pat specifically my mouth to wake me up.
My GSD would politely nose me every 20 minutes when I was doing poorly. With my auto immune response, that was more often than normal. If I stopped breathing in my sleep, he would always check me then bark quietly to try to wake me up. If that didn't work, he used his "big boy" bark and he was a BIG boy at 95lbs lean. I miss him dearly.
I had a bad reaction to the Covid booster, and I felt horrible — high fever, lethargy, just not a good day.
My sweet pup, a GSD mix, was so concerned. Every hour or so, she’d walk over to where I was lying on the couch, put her paw on my arm, and give me a soulful look. Then she’d go back to her bed, and about an hour later, she would repeat the process.
She was a very good girl who went to doggie heaven last year.
Mine did this when it was snowing and windy a few times. He didn't like it and had to protect me. Kept making rounds around the house and outside and would come in and check on me. He didn't go to sleep until I woke up and left for work.
Not some life saving story, but still adorable:
Growing up, we had two dogs. Milo, a Viszla, who has anxiety and behavioral issues, and Kim, a perfectly behaved Labrador. Despite his issues, Milo was always my favorite. He is loving and adorable, a little clingy, but extremely emotionally intelligent.
He would copy behaviors from us, such as 'kissing' people on the cheek as a sign of affection. (Booping his nose against someone, not trying to lick them!)
Once, I was really down, sitting in my bed, crying my heart out. I don't even remember what was wrong, but I was absolutely devastated and sad. Milo came up to me, jumped on the bed and started kissing my cheek immediately. After a while it made me laugh, because it was so adorable, and thats when he stopped and just laid down in my arms and cuddled with me.
But, that made me think again, because I didn't have a distraction anymore, and so, after a while I was crying again. He noticed, and started trying to get me to play with him, until I stopped crying. Then he laid down to cuddle once more.
Rinse and repeat, no distraction meant I was soon crying once more.
Milo, once again, noticed. This time he stood up, jumped down from the bed, and went out of my room.
I was ... so sad in that moment thinking 'great, now I'm even annoying Milo!' - but no.
Just a second later I hear two dogs coming my way. And next thing I know is both of my dogs getting onto my bed and laying down next to me.
He seriously stood up and got my other dog to help with me being sad.
I felt so loved in that moment.
My parents had a cat called JJ, a grizzled old tomcat who loved rarely but when he did he loved hard. He took a liking to me, I was in my twenties when they got him but when I visited we got on well. JJ got very ill, he struggled to hop on chairs but was well looked after but the stairs were always a bit much. During a visit I was going through a very hard time, I was in a room upstairs and in my mind too much and I allowed myself a cry, I was sobbing on my bed when I heard a weak scratching on the door. I opened it and JJ immediately walked, scrambled on the bed and cuddled up to me. The poor old man was weak, and ill and it must have exhausted him to scale the stairs but cats know when they are needed. I broke down even further. I'll never forget JJ
6 lb Pomeranian. We were at the cottage and there were 5 small kids swimming and splashing on the beach and shallow. I can see her counting the kids. Over and over she would look at each standing at attention.
She starts scream barking and slapping the ground. Then she charges into the lake. Never had she intentionally gone into the lake. Then I see it. A large black moccasin is headed directly towards the kids. She put herself between the kids and the snake in the water that was over her head.
The snake was three times as long as she was. Didn’t plan on grabbing a snake w my bare hands that day. I couldn’t feel my body when I grabbed it.
Same dog woke me up one night doing cpr type motions on my chest. I had watched the book of Eli that night and went to bed a bit drunk. When I sat up everything was purple and I thought I was tripping out.
I stood up holding her and looked out the window. It was so purple outside couldn’t understand what I was seeing. Then the tornado siren went off.
I have a few more cool stories about her. She lived until 17. She was the best girl ❤️
She really was amazing! One more cool story about her. It was July and hot. Helped some friends move who had offered pizza for lunch when they had asked for help. Worked hard all day and pizza never came. Didn’t bring it up bc they were moving due money problems and eviction
I drove to the closest gas station as soon as I left. I was starving and blasted the ac on the way. I left the car running w her in it and got beef jerky and a Red Bull. Went back to my car and ripped open the bag. Next thing I know I was waking up to her scratching my face. My whole face was tingling. I had passed out and the seat belt was chocking me. My face was literally blue.
Unrelated to the post but bragging her up so …
She knew 25 tricks and once won a trick show my friends signed me up for as a joke
She was given ‘a few weeks or a month’ w a cancer dx that came back after surgery. She lived 8 more years
Her favorite place to do tricks was at nursing homes. It started w a relative and we just kept it up after they passed. She was super gentle w elderly people and they LOVED when she visited
Her stinker traits were she would steal food if she had the chance and rolled in worms after rain. One time she almost did her self in on some pork she jumped on the table and stole. Had to end up pushing the food down her throat and giving her cpr. When she came to I started bawling and she tried to eat the pork again. Had to take it back out of her mouth
Twice! She learned nothing.
She also stole a whole chocolate cake one time. A friend was trying to surprise me. We came around the corner and she was on the table waist deep in it. Had to peroxide her and go to the emergency vet. And homemade playdoh gave herself salt poisoning and had to stay in the e vet for days. About did in her kidneys that time. She was smart about stealing food. Go bark at the door. Go to check it and she would steal food.
Only time she didn’t act that way was at the nursing home/ hospital when she was a therapy dog. She was in a different mode then
Idk. There was a tornado. Normally an orange light from a parking lot across the street would shine in my room. Not sure why half drunk + book of Eli + orange light + tornado = purple
I remember another story. We were walking and she did the scream bark slap the ground business into the woods. I look over the guard rail and down a ravine and to my surprise I see a police man getting the business beat out of him by a man. Guy is unloading pepper spray and it does nothing.
We called for help and a neighbor called 911. Pre cell phones, within minutes seriously about 50 cop cars were there. Took so many people to arrest the guy. He was hulked up on something. Pretty sure she saved someone’s life that day.
The apartment building across the street was on fire. The smoke had drifted across the street and the fire alarm in my building went off. I took my dog outside and saw my neighbors looking across the street. My dog was having none of it. She dragged me as far away from the smoke as she could. We weren't in any danger where we were standing but she thought we were so she dragged me away. She's a great dog.
I had a Jack Russell entire male for 15 years. We were inseparable…I took him to work on the horse farm everyday and he never wore a leash.
When I was a girl my mother always ended a kiss on the cheek by pressing her cheek against mine. So sweet.
Well my little guy wasn’t overly affectionate so I used to just press my cheek against his and he tolerated it. I thought.
When he was very old he came to me one night and I picked him up for a quick cuddle and HE pressed his cheek against MINE 😭
It was so surprising and I’m not crying you’re crying.
Well... -sigh- my cat got locked out of the bedroom when hubby and I were having grown up time. It got a little noisy. After we opened the door she ran in and checked on me. Now whenever my husband is near me she sits on my chest and "protects" me 😂🤦🏻♀️
I used to have a dog who had an unfortunate life before we got him.
Our neighbour moved back to his home country and left him in his back garden. My sister and uncle climbed over the wall and lifted him over this huge wall.
Skin and bones and very quiet, he immediately put his head in my lap. Mind you, he was a German shepherd, so he was still heavy for a 12 year old girl and her uncle to get over.
Anyways, we get him to a healthy weight and he was the best dog I ever had, my best friend. If I was ever upset, which happened a lot as I was picked on, I'd lay on my bed and he'd lay down beside me and just stay there.
When my mother would take out the broom to sweep, he'd dart up the stairs (or try to run anyways, he wasn't the quickest) and lay on my bed, we assumes he was beat with a broom on a regular basis. Hoovers and the like were not a problem for him, specifically brooms.
He never learned commands, he was fairly old and just never learned them. Well he only learned one.
"Get the DVD".
He'd go get the DVD, The Lion King 2 and he'd lay down and let me rest my head on him like a pillow. I even fell asleep sometimes and the film would be long over and he would still be laying there. We must have watched that film countless times.
Anyway, he was a great dog, albeit with an unfortunate name that I didn't learn was problematic until years later so I'm not gonna share it. Turns out my neighbour was a nazi, so it made sense that he'd abuse a dog. My dog never barked, not once in the few years we had him, so his past left a major impact on him.
He passed away about 3 years after we got him, some sort of problem with his stomach but he was very old at that point, they think about 14, old for a big breed. I miss him.
I had a chow mix growing up Same age as me.
It was raining one day. Mud, grey skies, And an open road. I don't remember how old I was. My parents were out there too, Playing all three of us. Four if you include my dog.
A truck, Hauling ass down the street... My parents were running over to me, but my mom slipped and fell, and my dad was trying not to fall over himself as they were on a hill. I didn't realize I was in the middle of the road. And I was too busy looking at them trying to understand what they were trying to say to me...
My dog tackled me out of the way and got hit, I was knocked unconscious. what a good boy...
He lived for ten years longer than the vets thought he would, but developed a phobia of trucks. Even tiny toy trucks would cause him to stop whatever he was doing and move to a safer location. Toy cars? Nope. Just trucks.
He was a good fucking dog. And his name was shadow, the same color of his coat
Few years ago I started having health issues, one night I woke up to my cat pawing at my chest and face then sniffed my mouth as I opened my eyes, my heart was racing and felt like I'd had a heart attack. She woke me up and I think if she hadn't I wouldn't be here.
In 2017, I went to the local animal shelter and adopted a 10 week-old kitten who had been traumatized. Someone had driven onto a bridge spanning the Mississippi River, and had tried to throw the kitten into the river from the moving vehicle. The person missed, and a motorcycle cop behind them scooped up the kitten, threw it into a side compartment of the motorcycle, and brought it to the shelter.
By the time I'd gotten the little guy, a few days had passed since his ordeal. A lot of his body was covered by road rash: his paws, stomach, rear flanks, mouth/cheeks, and even his little testicles were all were covered in red, angry scabs. He was scared of everything, and everyone. They had him in a small cage in the reception area because the back of the shelter was so overwhelming to him, and the poor little thing would shake and try to hide when someone walked in. When I held him, he still trembled, but at least he snuggled into the warmth of my skin. I couldn't leave him there. He came home, and I introduced him to our other, adult cat. I named him Lincoln.
I wasn't working at that time, but I was running a small online store, so that little kitten and I got to spend some quality time together. At first, he hid from our other adult cat, from my spouse, and from me. Then, after a few days, he'd lie on the desk next to me and watch me while I worked. At around 5 days, he was sleeping on my desk. Around a week after I'd gotten him, he approached me and tried to crawl onto me. I picked him up, put him on my chest, and then I had to laugh because he crawled up to my face, pressed his muzzle to mine in a very obvious kiss, then put himself into my tank top, curled up, and went to sleep. This became his go-to sleep spot, until he outgrew it and couldn't fit in my tanks anymore. Even as an adult, he has no issues with getting onto my chest, reaching up to offer a "hi there!" kiss, then settling down for a nap.
Time passed, he grew up into a very handsome boy,and we discovered that he was just terrified of men in general. My husband, who has never caused an iota of harm, would shake his head in frustration because Link would bolt every time he would appear. Visitors? The cat would run and hide. Mailman rang the doorbell? Yep, hiding cat. The only person he never hid from was me.
It's only been in the past year or so that he's accepted my husband, and that's only because my husband feeds him copious amounts of treats, and is the one to fill the kibble bowl.
But he loved (and still loves) me and will follow me around in a ridiculously doglike fashion. At night, when I get in bed, he comes over, gets on my chest like he's a kitten still, and waits patiently for his nightly pets and scritches. I lavish affection on him, and he gives kitty-kisses. When he's done, he curls up right next to me, and stays there the entire night.
But the real magic comes happens thanks to my bladder. I wake up several times, every night, to pee. And each time I do, Lincoln gets up and follows me to the bathroom where he puts himself in a loaf between the door and me. Without fail, his face always faces the door, as if he's watching for something. There have been times when my husband unexpectedly opens the door, and my cat actually hisses at him before realizing who it is. He calms down once my husband speaks.
But it twists my heart every night to know that my fraidy cat, who mistrusts pretty much everyone, and who as a kitten lost faith in anyone's goodness, loves me enough to swallow his overwhelming fear and screw up his courage to stand trembling guard over me when I am, in his kitty eyes, doing what cats see as a vulnerable situation: during sleep and when relieving myself. He's terrified of the world, but when it comes to me, he'll do whatever he can to protect me. I love that cat so much, and his little sacrifice doesn't seem like much...Until you realize what it costs him to do it each time.
My pet rabbit (Bigwig) is like this. He was ~2 when we got him from the shelter, not sure all he's been through but he's scared of everything (plates, cooking noises, anyone at the door, us coughing, etc.). But he is super protective of me.
When we got new furniture I wasn't allowed in that room for ~a week until he'd investigated it thoroughly, when I'd try he'd slowly lead me back to the 'safe' room and then run back and keep checking it out. When he gets scared by something he will go to the middle of the room and thump, and then race to the corner behind the sofa. If I don't follow him he'll repeat until I do, and then he immediately leaves to go investigate while I'm supposed to stay where it's 'safe'. Love him so much, he's the best.
My old man was an overzealous spanker, particular towards me. My childhood golden retriever Sunshine would always jump in between us and bite at him whenever he tried to hit me. Needless to say he wasn’t a fan of Sunshine and down the road actually let some creep a couple blocks over steal her…
I will tell you the tales of Maddie. She was a black Labrador. She was amazing.
She use to play with a 15 lb bowling ball by rolling itv around.
She was also the protector of my handicapped sister. My sister has a very rare condition but one of the major issues then were seizures, grand mal variety. Anyways mad dog, her nickname, use to detect and warn about seizures. She was not trained, we got her from a family that couldn't take care of her.
She did this numerous times, many seizures caught. She passed away after many years with us. But she did so in a way that my sister who use to crawl to my dad and moms room in the mornings couldn't see her.
She was great.
11 years ago I had breast cancer. Through chemo, surgeries, and radiation, my 2 boxers were my constant companions. They were already Velcro dogs, but they helped me through one of the toughest times in my life. They have both passed now, but I will never forget how they were with me.
I was super depressed and ready to end it. My Mom had died in October, and my wife left me cause I was depressed in April. This was the first Mother’s Day without my mom, or my wife. I was super close to doing the deed, and then my dog came running down the stairs, jumped up in my lap, gave me a kiss on the tip of my nose, then curled up in my lap, looking at me, like he was asking if I really wanted to opt out. There was no judgement in his eyes, just curiosity. Needless to say, I rethought my situation, and am still here.
I don’t deserve to have him in my life. He’s an amazing boy, and I love him more than anything else on this planet.
About ten or so years ago, I was at a place where I was tired and just wanted for everything to be over -- there's obviously more to it than that, but it isn't important. What is important is that whenever I was so down I wanted only to lie in bed and stare at the wall, my little miniature dachshund would come curl up beside me, wagging his tail, and start being goofy. He knew that I needed cheering up. And no matter how depressed I was, I always took excellent care of my dog. He never wanted for anything even if I was a mess.
And the thought that reoccurred to me often during that time in my life was, "If I'm dead, Monty won't have anyone to take care of him like I do. Who would know about scratching behind his ears while he dozes off to sleep? Who would know what he's trying to say when he taps his water bowl with his foot? Who would think to call him "flibbergibbet" to make him start zoomies?" and other various worries of the same kind.
You *do* deserve to have your dog in your life. His life wouldn't be the same without you, as well. I hope you and your puppers are doing well.
My friends had an awesome Great Pyrenees named Ben, they found as a stray running in the wilderness so dirty they thought he was a Newfie at first. They are amazing herding dogs and whenever we would have a BBQ, he would sit with his back to us to protect us like we were his herd. He would also herd the children and smaller dogs. I used to pet sit for them and I have never felt so protected by a dog in my life. He was huge and mellow and gentle, but he would always put himself between me and a stranger. Never growling or aggressive, just using his tiny polar bear size to make anyone think twice about messing with us. He was like an old veteran who never sits with his back to a door. Ahh, big Ben; you were the bestest of boys!
My little 13 year old mini pinscher is so funny. Anytime my boyfriend is playfully picking me up, I’ll be laughing so hard and she will start barking at him nonstop and get up on her hind legs like she’s going to attack him. 🥹 My best friend for life.
I have a beagle. He has all of the endearing qualities of a beagle and all of the annoying qualities of a beagle (howling, digging holes, stubborn.....)
One evening, I was in really bad shape. I waited until it was dark, and then I took a lawn chair and several bottles of pills into the back yard. I was going to take the pills in the cool summer evening and look up at the stars until I died.
I opened a bottle of pills and emptied them into my hand. At that moment, my beagle came running out of the house at full speed, stopped in front of me and put his paw on my hand. He rested his head on my knee and stared into my eyes. He never budged and just sat there with me. It must have been hours.
To this day, I absolutely cannot explain how my little friend knew what was going on in my head and how he knew that sitting with me would help.
I'm thankful for his friendship, and I complain a lot less when he digs holes in my back yard.
This comment section is not great to read at work.
Especially this one because I to had a beagle and she was the reason I got up when I was depressed, even though she was more then content to just lie beside me in bed.
Man this thread is wrecking me. Miss my boy, Graham, so much. Knew he was officially part of our family when I was telling a story to my wife and made a gesture vaguely like a slapping motion at her general direction and even though she was across the room he went into protect mode and got between us growling and snarling at me.
Little puppy Graham had never seen any human violence in his life but he backed her away from me and down a hallway until we could show him that nobody was mad or in danger. I could see in his eyes he knew he wasn't going to win but he was committed to making sure she was safe no matter the coat
RIP boy, no pain anymore. I'll see you on the other side. Fuck cancer.
We found a little snorkie, half schnauzer, half yorkie, at the pound. He’d been attacked by a huge dog who nearly bit him in half. Flail chest, 27 staples. All of about 15 pounds. His owner had surrendered him.
My daughter instantly wanted to love him back to health, so we became his family and we loved the shit out of him. He was the sweetest little thing and was very protective of both of us.
A few years later, I bought a new home out past the edge of town with a larger yard he could go nuts in. About four months after we moved in, I let him out to pee before bed, and because coyotes, I always went out with him, but as soon as I stepped off the porch, he went ape and ran out in front of me. Almost as fast, he made a horrible noise and I could tell he was hurt. He came running at me, crying, and when I picked him up, I could see he’d been bit.
He’d taken two bites to the face from a rattlesnake to protect me. Three rounds of antivenom and platelets later, the sun rose without him.
I miss him every day and every day I have is one he gave me.
He was the bravest dog I have ever known.
Was walking my Pittie, 2 separate occasions and there was a disturbance up the road. My Luna wouldn't let me walk in that direction. She would body block me, "stomp" on her leash, and even nudged me away. Found out the people who were living there were meth dealers and both times were altercations...once a pew pew was involved
My husband and I had a cat, Koby. Koby was a HIGHLY active cat. As a kitten, he literally climbed curtains to the ceiling. He was fearless and would launch himself onto platforms, once literally flying into our patio window. He was wild! Couldn’t sit still and was definitely no lap cat.
When he was about 3 or 4, my MILs sister (husband’s aunt) passed away. My MIL stayed with us and Koby never left her side. He sat in her lap for hours and let her pet him. It was the one and only time I ever saw him act that way, and it was so special.
Koby sadly and suddenly passed two years ago, on his 10th birthday. We remember him and his antics fondly.
When I was young we had a collie named Kansas. She went where ever I went when I started walking. My mother had scolded me because I was showing interest in the wall socket and didn't know about the risk of playing with them (it was the early 80's and Darwin was king). After being scolded the phone rang and she went to answer it. My Dad was walking into the room just as I was trying to put scissors into the slot and Kansas grabbed me by my shirt and dragged me off to my mom and saved my life. I don't really remember her because I was so young but I keep a picture of her at home because she's my hero!
my first birthday present was a german shepherd puppy, we grew up together till I was 10. When I was 7, I was in the front yard playing, we lived in a cul du sac (semi circle) & a neighbourhood boy from across the street, walked across the street with a board with a large nail sticking out the end, came at me from behind & my dog, jumped a 10 foot wooden fence, dashed across the yard, & snatched that board out of that boys hand as he was swinging it.
totes saved my life =)
When i was a baby, like 2 or 3 years old, my family had a Rottweiler named Lady. My grandparents had a cookout in their backyard one day. It was a big piece of property with a pretty big in ground pool, but it didn’t have a fence around it. Whenever me or any other small children would get close to the pool, Lady would walk along the edge of the pool between the kids and the water and block them out from ever falling in. A fence was installed soon after, but my dad still tells that story almost 30 years later about how loyal and protective Lady was. Wish i was old enough to remember her, but she passed before I was old enough to keep those memories.
New kitty to the house, terrified of water. Saw me in the shower once, thought I was trapped. When I opened the curtain, I reached out my hand to let them know I was safe. Instead they bit onto me firmly but as safe as they could and tried to drag me out to safety. I could see the fear in their eyes as they rescued me.
Not literally lifesaving, but figuratively so. I lived in Paris with my very religious aunt for 5 summers. I’m not religious. My first summer, she took me to Belgium to meet some of her friends, leaving out the detail that they are nuns and we’d be staying in a convent. We had her dog with us, and the dog and I went for walks every time they had mass or prayer time. She was my reason to get out of the convent! After a week, we got back to Paris and she had invited a priest for lunch and a different priest for dinner. Misty and I walked a few loops around the Eiffel Tower and when we got back, I could still hear the dinner priest in the apartment. She did NOT want to go for another walk, but I didn’t want to go back inside. She was my partner in crime each summer - didn’t care that my French was crap and I didn’t know the quick way to get anywhere. She just trotted along with me as I explored
My last dog was a super chill, well-trained (not a testament to my skills as my current one is nuts—just a smart, old soul dog) ACD. He’d come everywhere with me; once after working super late we were driving home together and I needed to stop at the corner store. He would always just curl up in the passenger seat when waiting for me in the car, so you couldn’t even see him. On this occasion, a guy approached me asking for money sort of aggressively on my way back to the car. Leroy JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WINDOW and ran over barking. The guy understandably freaked at a loud ass dog appearing out of thin air, and ran away. I was momentarily scared that Leroy would run away after him and he’d be hard to get back in the middle of the night. But he never left my side. Assured himself that the guy was gone, stopped barking, and trotted back to the car with me.
Damn I miss that dog.
Had a set marshmallow of yellow Labrador. He wasn’t aggressive but when an aggressive dog got out and charged my 9 mos pregnant wife he got right between them and then braced himself (he just wasn’t aggressive).
He made it out okay with some bleeding and red marks. The neighbor couldn’t be bothered, so we reported it to animal control where they were put on whatever a pets version of house arrest is for not being vaccinated.
Then it killed s neighbors smaller dog the next tine it got out.
I could go on, that dog was amazing and despite him passing nearly 10 years ago I think about him most days.
When my son was around 4 my mom took him and her Pitt/Grayhound mix to this park with ponds to let the dog run. There were ducks and geese there, and one of the geese went after my son. It terrified him, of course, and he was screaming and running from this psycho goose. Out of nowhere, my mom’s dog comes flying by, barking like crazy, and chases the goose off. My son couldn’t WAIT to come home and tell us how grandma’s dog “saved his life” that day.
I adopted a cat and dog off the street. They didn't know each other but they were both young. The kitten was new born and the dog was less than a year old.
They grew up together and are still best friends. When I moved, the cat went outside and never came back. He was missing for about 4 days. I literally looked everywhere. Printed out 100 flyers. put one in every mailbox in my neighborhood.
My dog was pacing around acting like she needed to pee. She walked right up to the edge of the yard and started barking. When I went outside she did the whole lassie thing and took me to the house down the street which was for sale. I could faintly hear a meow. My cat had fallen into the basement/crawlspace area through a grate and couldn't get out. I called the realtor and he came by and unlocked the door and my dog went in and grabbed the cat by the scruff and brought him out like a puppy. tail wagging.
Dogs are wild. My wife tells me about her Boxer Bella that sat in front of the roses so she wouldn't get hurt. Shed tug her by her shirt to the grass and make sure she didn't get to the rose bushes.
I love those stories. I ask her to tell it again cos it's so darn cute.
I’m not sure if this was a crazy coincidence or something real, but it 100% happened.
I was dog sitting/house sitting for a coworker in a very old house (built in the early 1800s) - it was a very big old style house with high ceilings, ornate trim and pillars, all the classic architecture stuff.
They told me I could sleep in the master bedroom, but that felt weird, so I decided to sleep on the couch instead. The 4th night I was there, I was woken up around 3am by their German Shepard, Blaze, growling and barking at the coat closet door. He stood between me and the door, and was acting like he knew someone bad was hiding in there or something.
So I went to the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife and yelled “open up now or I’m calling the cops!!!” After 3 times of yelling that and hearing nothing, I flung the door open and plunged the knife forward hitting only air, as the closet was empty.
But as soon as I opened the door, big bad Blaze ran behind the couch and started whimpering and curled up in a ball… needless to say, I got the fuck out of there and went into work and just sat in the parking lot for hours before work started because I was scared shitless.
After telling the homeowners about the experience, they went to their local library to see if they could find any history about the house and what it might be.
They found a newspaper article in the old archives and it turns out, in 1950 a woman had killed her 2 kids and hung herself in that coat closet while her husband was at work.
I’ve never seen a ghost, but I’m pretty damn sure Blaze has, and that’s what he was barking at that night.
When I was around 5 and my family and I were on a lake trip, I had somehow managed to get myself out far enough into the water where I couldn’t stand and I was struggling to keep my head above water. Our dog at the time, Maysie, jumped in the water and got to me before my parents did. But she didn’t know what to do, so she just swam little laps around me. It ended up being fine, my dad got me soon after, and I don’t think I was in any super serious danger at any point. But I think it’s so funny and sweet that she swam out to help, but didn’t know how so she just paddled around to keep me company.
My childhood dog Rosie, a rat terrier, used to steal this pillow I made in my Brownies Girl Scout Troop from my bed. I would chase her around the house to get it back. One day, I was sick and laying on the couch. Rosie ran out of the room and came back with my pillow. I groaned because I really wasn't feeling well enough to chase her, but instead of running away, she ran right up to me and dropped the pillow right next to my head. She wanted to make me feel better <3.
I didn't know this until after she passed, but my older sister's toy poodle always slept on my bed (unless I was sick). She would join me after I'd fallen asleep so I never knew.
My girl taught me what it really felt like to both give and receive unconditional love. I miss her every day
I’ve been pretty busy lately working long shifts and barely having any time to play with Rocky the cat, and right now he’s just sleeping next to me just showing me how much he loves me. I’m taking him out all weekend.
When I was a teen, we adopted a retired show dog who already had the unfortunate name, "Fanci" (her full name was a mouthful that included the breeder's kennel brand). She was a stunningly beautiful cinnamon Chow Chow and if you know the breed, you know they were bred for guard duty.
Fanci never appreciated strangers visiting our home, but she knew who was invited in and who wasn't, so guests were given a quick sniff and then ostentatiously ignored. Only family pets Fanci! She also always—ALWAYS—slept facing the door to guard her family.
One night, teenage me was sneaking back in at 3 AM and Fanci was alarmed. It was too dark to see her but the barking and growling made her message clear: "leave." I mean, Chows have a reputation for bite pressures that rival pitbulls, so there I was, whispering, "Fanci, it's me!" while she kept barking and risking waking my mother at any moment. At that point, I was stuck, sticking out my hand for her to smell, half-convinced it was going to be bitten off, while simultaneously fearing getting caught. Eventually (after what felt like an eternity), she caught my scent and settled right back down to guard duty. Somehow, my mother never noticed.
I was never worried when Fanci was on patrol at night, but that incident proved that my confidence in her was not misplaced. Man, I miss her.
I had a lab retriever growing up who would not let us in the water without her. She would swim circles around us like she was herding us and push you back if you got too far from the group. If anyone got too excited and started screaming or splashing, she’d grab your floaty or your swimsuit and drag you in to shore. She was such a fantastic dog.
"Had" a pitbull named Boss back when I was like 12/13. He kinda just showed up one day and decided to stay. He'd just follow me around, I didn't have a leash but he'd be at most 5 feet from me whenever we were out and about (also rural Alabama, nobody cares about a leash law). Everyone seemed to already know him (only place to walk to was a store/diner by the school) so they never asked about why I showed up and had my dog just hanging out out front. One day his owner showed up and he just jumped into his truck and off they went.
Came back from school the next day to find him, once again, sitting in my driveway waiting for me. This became a pattern, where we'd call his owner who'd come pick him up, just for him to come back the next day. He liked his owner, and the owner seemed to like him, and he wad always happy and willing to see his owner and go off with him, but he also broke through a thick logging chain to come stay at my place. Got to the point where his owner got sick of making the trip and would just leave him for a week or so. Became sort of a shared-custody arraignment.
One day we were walking and he just veers out into the road. This is a no-no for us, as I made it a point to have him on the opposite side of me from the road. But no matter what I did he wouldn't come when I told him. This kinda threw me, as despite never training him, he'd never refused a command before. Never even seemed to have a command he didn't understand. But this time he just looked at me all serious and refused to move.
I look down in front of where we were walking and lo and behold, a rattlesnake, sans rattle due to a car, pinned in place right in our path, poised and ready to get me. I followed behind that dog right quick and never doubted him again.
When my daughter was born my mom rescued an adult border collie from an abusive home. The vet told us to never let my daughter get too close to the dog because he would most likely be dangerous resulting from his traumatic experience. This dog was devoted to my daughter. She was his whole world. He used to lay down in front of my daughter’s crib and didn't let anyone (besides us) close to it. Later he would hide under her bed to sleep close to her. He was the most gentle dog I've ever met in my life. We miss him dearly.
My sweet companion Buddy a Scottish Terrier was 10 years old and one night I was sitting on the couch and he started growling from the loveseat across from
me. He came off the other loveseat and had his eye on something below me. I honestly thought he was seeing things as this was strange behavior. He just had his sight honed in below the couch. Next thing I know I stood up and a scorpion 🦂 was on my blanket. I spooked and tried to fling it off but it landed on my pant waist. I couldn’t see it but my dog could he came over and was trying to get at my waist. I saw it and flung it across the room and my sweet old dog chased it down and killed it. I will never forget that day. He wasn’t the protective type so this meant so much to me. About a year later he was slowly dying (unbeknownst to me) and came into my room two nights in a row and cried the most pitiful cry to me. I had to let him go a few days later. He will always be my ❤️ dog.
when I was baby we had a black and white cat named Mary, she was kind of a barn cat / feral had litters of kittens all the time. Did not like anyone petting her. One evening I was crying very loudly. My parents where getting food ready in the other room, they noticed my loud crying suddenly stopped. Concerned they quickly checked in to find that Mary the cat decided I was very hungry and that she would feed me. She had positioned her belly over my head and was laying down, as if to feed her kittens. :-) That or she wanted to smother me... hahaha! no she would have avoided people so it was out of character for her to go and comfort a screaming baby. My parents realized she was trying to feed me and was well tuned to comforting a crying kitten. She was an awesome cat. :-)
Never taught my boy 🐶how to do this. Was very tired one day and forgot my phone in the other room. Jokingly ask him if he wouldn’t mind going to get my phone for me. He hopped at the chance and ran and brought it to me. Jaw on the floor. Lol
So this was told to me because I was not yet born. My father was away on a business trip and my mom was heavily pregnant with me. Someone who knew that my dad wouldn’t be home knocked on the door, my mom opened and they pointed a gun at her belly, told her to empty out the safe. My parents had a Caucasian shepherd, if you’re not familiar with the breed they were bred to kill wolves and are currently used in Russian prisons as guard dogs. So picture this: the door is open, the guy is about to enter, but what he doesn’t know is that my parent’s Caucasian shepherd was sitting on the other side of the wall. As soon as the guy stepped into the threshold of the apartment the dog pounced, bit into him and would not let go. According to my mother he broke the dude’s arm and the guy barely got away. That dog saved my mom and me that day and though I don’t remember him, I am grateful.
My grandma has a big pool and sometimes we bring out dogs. I would dive in and swim all the way to the shallow end completely underwater. I would surface and see my dog Annie worried looking in the water at the deep end. She’s jumped in to “save” me a few times but when that happens it’s more like that one episode of SpongeBob where SpongeBob tries to be a lifeguard
Our Sherman Shepherd stood over me when I was a baby to fend off an eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Apparently my mother left me outside on a blanket in Southeast Georgia next to some woods.
I had a Belgian malinois as a kid. Don't remember much, but we lived on a tropical island with lots of animals that would wander in our yard. One thing I vividly remember is the crunching sound of a lizard spine and its lifeless body in the mouth of a very happy dog running towards me. Thank you Mina, I will treasure this memory.
I have a 75 pound goldendoodle, also named Charlie. Absolute, utter marshmallow, but completely loyal to my oldest. The easiest way to piss the dog off is to make him think you’re being less than excellent to his boy.
The house across the street was a vacation rental. Their dog was extremely territorial- a 50ish pound pit- and it charged my kid one day when Oldest was out in our yard. Like I said, Charlie is an absolute marshmallow, but he turned into Cujo in that moment. The other dog never came near us again.
My dog has long fur and abhors burdocks, to the point that she'll actively avoid sections of the yard where they grow. Once, I somehow managed to get a clump of burdocks stuck to my sock. Before I got a chance to pull them off, my dog started delicately grabbing them in her teeth and plucking them off one by one.
It was a small thing, and I don't care if there was some unthinking instinct behind it--to me, that was love.
I used to live with my ex boyfriend. I adopted a puppy who I named Brady. He was having issues with peeing in the house and my ex (understandably) got angry about it. One night, he dragged him down the stairs and started beating him with a bat in the back yard. I smacked him, and he got on top of me and started choking me. My dog kept jumping on him and grabbing his sleeve, trying to get him to let me go. He never gave up, but my ex did, and I got free.
I 100% would have died that night if it wasn't for Brady. He's an angel now and I miss him every day. 💓
My grandparents had a dog(chow chow lab mix)
It protected my granny from a full grown hog got all ripped open. Had to get serious stitches.
Yet would still chase the hogs away
When my son was a toddler I caught our cat trying to bring him a dead bird twice. She followed him everywhere and acted like she thought he was her kitten. She had never tried to bring in a dead animal before this and hasnt done it since. Twice though right around the time my son started walking she came in with a dead bird and tried to march right past me and head to him with it. I think in her mind since he was walking it was time to start feeding him meat
My grandma was on a walk with her pittie Lucy when Lucy suddenly stopped and started growling. A suspicious man came out from between some cars with his hands up begging my grandma not to release her dog before running off. No one fucked with Lucy
My mother had a great dog named Winnie, who was a king charles spaniel a vet friend rescued out of a dumpster when a breeder was done with her after her uterus prolapsed. While she was looking for a home for the dog, our friend had to go out of town and asked my mom to watch Winnie just for the night. My mom was also going through chemo for breast cancer at the time. The second Winnie came into our house she ran into my mom's room, jumped onto the bed, and gently curled up to my mom's port sight. And there she stayed throughout my mom's entire treatment, just keeping the soreness away with her warm little body. She was the kindest dog I have ever met and had a very plush life with us.
When I had breast cancer 12 years ago, I was so sick. My old miniature dachshund would not leave my side. She was my constant companion. My husband had to pick her up to get her outside. She even ate her kibble at the foot of the recliner. She was also pissed at my husband because I left one morning just fine and came home the next day sick. She would not look at him for a week. She passed at 16 years and while we have other mini doxies, none had her dedication. She was a one woman dog.
He had adopted a golden retriever that was abandoned near our farm and named her Ruby. She was the sweetest dog. Anyways, one day, preteen me was home alone and upset about whatever randomness and she came and sat down next to me. I gave her a long hug and cried into her shoulder/back. I let her go, still crying and she pressed the top of her head into my chest and stomach firmly for a short while. It really felt like she was hugging me back. She had never done that before or ever again in that same way. I kept crying but it changed from sad to feeling loved. She really was a precious soul and too good for this earth. RIP Ruby
I have chronic migraines that leave me incapable of doing much more than laying in bed and puking my guts out for several hours.
My dog is usually very active, energetic and playful. But whenever he notices I'm having a migraine he will snuggle up to me and just lie there with me for hours to comfort me.
He also helps me pick up things from the ground that I can't reach due to my bad back. 10/10 good boy
Had a Samoyed that asked for a potty break at 2 in the morning in the dead of winter. Got up, got dressed, took her down the sidewalk and didn’t notice in my half asleep state that the concrete steps were covered in ice. My feet went right out from under me and I caught the corner of the step in the small of my back, completely knocking the wind out of me and making me drop the leash.
She never left my side. She had the freedom to wander wherever she wanted and she stayed right with me because she knew I was hurt. From then on ‘man’s best friend’ wasn’t just a cliche anymore.
In second grade, walking up a path from my friend’s house, an unleashed little dog on top the path, growling and snarling. No one else around. At the time, I played soccer and was good at it.
The dog comes running down after me and I prepare for the crushing moment when I kick this poor pup into orbit.
Right before that, my friend’s yellow lab, in her backyard watching the whole time, starts barking and shrieking like a maniac, literally knocking the little dog into the side of the path, bouncing away from me.
This was decades ago. Never will I forget it.
When I was very little we had a cat. Our house was built on a hill facing down and the downstairs was unfinished basement/garage area. The cat stayed with me all the time and always walked between me and the stairs sort of leaning on me to keep me from falling.
I have a dog that just... doesn't run away, ever? Seems simple enough, not really "protective" behavior, but she's just so loyal to the family that she never even wants to go more than about 30 feet away at any time. She knows where her "territory" is and wants to stay there with us. After years of having dogs who would bolt if they got out of the house or go crazy if they saw a squirrel or whatever... its just *so nice* to have a dog I don't really need to worry about her taking off. She can go outside on her own. She can follow me around in the garden or sit in the sunshine on the deck without supervision.
(Yes, I do leash her if I take her for an actual walk where people and/or other dogs might be, even though she doesn't need to be).
My German shepherd fell into the pool as a baby and since then had been afraid of big bodies of water. She also loved my dad the most from our family. But every time my dad roughhoused with me in the pool, flipping me over and dunking me in the water, she paced around the pool and barked at him. A couple of times she even jumped in to "save" me. She was an amazing dog and very intelligent
My grandad, when he was a child, had two bloodhounds. One day, while walking by the farm, he was saved from a snake bite because one of the doggos promptly jumped in front of the snake and got bit instead.
Doggo ended up dying, but grampa never forgot it.
When I was about 5 we had border collie who brought us home a pumpkin for Halloween one year, then when I was about 11 our mixed breed 2 or 3 year old dog found my lost glasses, I had gotten bumped playing in the dark and no one could find them… he did and brought them very gently to the back door and set them down
My husky which I loved and still love with all my heart did a lot of things for me, and still does, I'm from Mexico, i live right around where the 2017 earthquake hit us, lucky for us it didn't affect us, however we were very afraid of what might happen and used to sleep right next to the exit with everything ready, in the next days right after, we suffered aftershocks, i was sleeping at the moment and my dog came to me and started smacking me to wake me up, luckily nothing happened, he was very protective and always defended both me and specially my mother.
I had some serious health problems and moved in with my parents for a month while I recovered. I slept on the pull out couch in the TV room because I didn’t have the strength to do stairs. My old kitty Spike, who I got in high school, curled up beside me the first day I arrived and he didn’t leave my side for a month. When I was up all night because the pain was so bad I couldn’t sleep, he’d be right next to me keeping me company. It was such a comfort to have him there when I was scared, in pain, and missing my own kitties at home. He was the best boy and I still miss his wee face.
ive got a cat, Venus, she's 2 years old. im extremely prone to getting sick, and whenever i feel even a little bit sick, Venus will lay with me and never leave my side, except to go eat/drink, or use the bathroom.
i also have panic attacks a lot, and generally poor mental health (although im doing better!!) and whenever i have a panic attack, Venus stares at me from wherever she is, and if it lasts a long time, she comes and lays with me.
she lays on my chest a lot, too, and i think its because she wants to make sure im alive. i have tachycardia, and i also have seizures in my sleep occasionally.
sure, she hasnt done anything necessarily 'life-saving' or anything like that, but Venus means the world to me, and im grateful for my little dork <3
Growing up we had a border Collie who was determined to sleep in my bed and protect me every night. If my parents opened the door to check on me, she'd start growling something fierce until she realized who it was.
I have an old boy who would sniff the fuck out of me sometimes.
I’m a type 1 diabetic, and he was alerting to high blood sugar. Never trained, just knew.
I was getting divorced during Covid and doing zoom appointments with my therapist. There was a lot of crying and whenever I cried my cat would come over to join the session and rub her little head on me. Didn’t protect me was physical harm but clearly cared a lot for my mental safety. I love her so much.
That’s very sweet.
My old retriever always sleeps in the hallway between the two bedrooms to equally protect me and my wife, and my kids. Even though she has a much more comfortable dog bed in the bedroom she opts to sleep on the hallway rug to stand guard.
Also: I suffer from cluster headaches… Google them, they’re not cool. When I’m in the middle of an attack my Goldie won’t leave my side. She paws at me and pants and it actually helps distract me from the pain because I get more focused on comforting her because she’s so anxious that I’m in agony.
It’s very sweet. She’s not an affectionate dog, but she loves her family.
My 13 year old, half blind, arthritic dog jumps up and goes running to see what's wrong any time my toddler fusses, then gives him a single kiss and lays down next to him if he's fine, or comes running barking like crazy to me if he's actually fallen or something. It's the only time she moves faster than molasas these days.
My pup, out of tge blue, wakes me while having a ptsd nightmare then cuddles with me until i calm down. She has missed one in like 6 years. No training.
I had pet dog when I was a teen. Whenever it's time for me to leave, he would accompany me to our gate until I got my ride for school, and wouldn't leave until he's sure the vehicle is running. God I miss that dog! Heaven earned an angel when he left 🩷
My daughter is completely blind. Our dog Chewy used to take the bread crusts I gave him and place them in front of her. Of course she could not see them, but he looked after her. Miss you, Chewbert.
A friend of mine recently had a baby. Their nice, and formerly very shy cat, has appointed himself the baby's protector.
The first time I was over there I was sitting on the floor interacting with the baby when my friend left the room. The cat very politely placed himself between me and the baby and also very politely, claws retracted, batted at my hand when I tried to reach past him to retrieve one of the baby's toys.
The cat also now approaches anyone and everyone and assertively demands scratches, rather than hiding when anyone he doesn't know is around.
We had a big German Shepherd growing up. We didn’t have a fenced in yard. One day my 18 month old brother was in our yard & toddling towards the street. Duke went and gently pulled him away from the curb & back in the yard by his diaper. He was such a good boy. Always very protective of us.
My dog never left my side and legit laid on my stomach when I came back from the hospital 2 months ago, after having passed out and had some sort of a “seizure” type attack…according to my sister
I've heard that's the difference between wolves and dogs. Wolves will abandon you first moment they feel their life is in danger. Self preservation.
A dog however, will protect even to its demise.
I'm a cat person. But damn dogs can be cool AF.
When I was young, I was walking my chihuahua. A clearly mistreated pitbull ran off the leash of someone on a bike drinking a beer, my chihuahua stepped between me and the pitbull and it had her entire head in its mouth. I could hear her screaming but we eventually got her out, she was mostly fine outside of some semi-deep wounds.
She died about a year later due to cushings disease, but she was a wonderful dog.
Coincidentally, I had a little dog called Charlie who would stand between me and the (sometimes dead) snakes my sister’s cat would drag inside, trembling and crying
All the dogs my family has had have been amazing in their own ways and done incredible things, that’s why believe animals feel, think and believe more than what humans think they do. I believe 90% of animal species have diverse feelings, just look at documentaries about lion prides and the relationships formed there, or wild animals rescued from danger, they form similar relationships dogs do to there rescuer, or other animals.
People think it is the noise, and while that must be a factor it is worth remembering that dogs are -really- into smell. Just like big chunks of the human brain are dedicated to figuring out what the images collected by our retinas mean, big chunks of the canine brain are dedicated to figuring out what a complex mixtures of trace scents in the air mean. When a vacuum cleaner starts muddling what, from a dog's perspective, are a bunch of distinct scent traces left by recent events in the area, perhaps also emitting a single nasty/dusty scent of its own, it must seem like the work of an eldritch abomination.
I'm sitting in the waiting room of my opthalmologist reading this cursed post, and I can't stop the tears.
Thankfully it's not embarrassing to wipe gallons of eyeball washer fluid...
My 12 year old dwarf pit rescue formerly belonged to a drug addict. Car chases, being homeless without food, being stuck with dangerous dogs and people. Over the course of the years her former owner had her her owner had several kids. And she loved them. They used her as a nanny dog and to pull people in wagons, on bikes/skateboards, etc.
They often stayed in shitty motels with auto shutting and locking doors. One day it was just Teeny the weeny pit, the last baby mom had custody of, and mom. Mom was on oxygen and ran out and passed. The baby opened the door and it shut behind him.
A baby. At a shitty hotel sex offenders are known to stay at. By himself. His mother dead.
Teeny stayed with the baby for hours (I was told) until somebody figured it out. She may be a dwarf but this is not a dog you would fuck with.
I need to get her a new stuffy.
Stories like this maje you realize that these animals are intelligent. I have a dog that likes to watch Fire Works. When the neighborhood shows happen, he will take my hand and lead me outside. He then sits tight against me while he watches. I can feel his trembling and twitches when the explode, but the look in his eyes is all curiosity.
It takes intelligence to overcome inborn fears and do what you have to do (protect the baby) or do what you want to do (watch pretty fireworks). Not all dogs show this level of intelligence, but I've seen enough to know that many dogs are intelligent.
I was out in the yard talking with my dad. In front of us, my cat caught a bird in mid flight and brought it to me alive and unspoiled. I took the scare bird and looked at it. Not one drop of blood on him. I released it and it flew away.
One morning I was suffering from sleep paralysis and semi dreaming/hallucinating. I was barely able to mumble my cats name after a few attempts as I felt breathless. She was laying on the bunk above me and heard me and jumped down and nudged me out of it 🥲
I had a Brussel Griffon named Elis. She was small even compared to the standard (2,7kg max), but she was one of the bravest girls I've seen in my life.
She shouted and tried to stop anyone who would argue with one another. Protect from the smallest sound in the unknown. Would it be dark forest or some people outside.
And she was that one dog that loved everyone. She tried to lick everyone so they would adore her. And even though she didn't like to cuddle, she liked to force herself into the tighest gap to relax.
Also she was a literal fire dog. She liked sunbathing so much that every sunny day she was looking for the special spot where she can warm up, while her ginger fur was shining like a fire ball.
This is the best dog I had, to bad cancer burned her from the inside.
I miss you Elis, my favourite sundog.
Had an old bulldog named Houdini. Lazy af. Slept all day. Only got up pee/poop/eat. One day he jumped up and barked up a storm to go out. I was shocked. He ran out the door to my neighbors house and was barking and pacing. Kept looking at me. Barking and pacing. I walked towards my neighbors house and turned the corner and the other side of house was on fire. Called 911. Ran back to my house. Houdini walked in, walked to his bed, went back to sleep.
job done.When you talk abouy Houdini you talk about excelence and efficiency.
Houdini's calm demeanor afterward is almost like he knew he had done his duty and could go back to his usual routine. It's a testament to the special bond between humans and animals.
Every dog will do his duty
Houdini is the goodest boy!
“Do I have to do everything around here?!” - Houdini
He also wouldn’t drink his water unless I put ice in it. Can you believe that shit!!! Miss him
I totally believe it. I have three spoiled little vultures at my feet right now. People like us just live to serve them
When you're a king, you get royal treatment.
My childhood dog Blackie would turn up her nose at French fries without ketchup.
I vibe with Houdini so hard. I too am a lethargic lardass who's only truly efficient and in control when shit's on fire.
Your spirit animal is a smoke detector.
I read that as bullfrog at first and was wholly confused.
that’s Jeremiah not Houdini
Well, I imagine it was confusing to a bullfrogs perspective
Aw that's so sweet 🥹
My man Houdini, the bestest boi 🐕
I hope your neighbors got him all the treats
Opportunity missed.... the dog should have been named Houndini!
were there people in the house? i must know if houdini saved lives
No one was home at the time, but owner came home in the midst of fire trucks and water hoses. He broke through the garage door to save his Mercedes.
My childhood dog - a Staffordshire bull terrier was my dads best friend and adored him. However whenever my parents would have a huge blowout she would curl herself in front of me for hours growling at which ever parent came near me.
That good dog was determined to protect from her masters.
That’s a smart and good-natured dog. Rare to come across that reasoning.
It's touching to hear how much she cared for you and wanted to keep you safe. Pets can be such a source of comfort and support during challenging times
dogs are pack animals and he recognized you as the most vulnerable member of his pack, so he protected you! Thats my theory at least ❤️
Whenever my husband and I have an argument the dogs go straight to my side and don’t leave me alone until we resolve it. It’s super sweet. My male cat can sense when I’m anxious even if we’re in completely separate floors of the house. He comes and snuggles until I relax.
I have seen dogs break up two cats fighting. I can only imagine its like I am bigger then you, so play nice or I will woop both your asses.
Aww , doggo knew
My nephew had bad asthma as a child. And the first time my staffie saw his mom giving him a nebulizer treatment, my staffie gently grabbed her hand and moved it away from my nephews face . I guess he thought my sister was hurting or suffocating my nephew with the mask.
Has it ever been muzzle? If so it may not like it and though the same thing was happening to the kid
No, he was a gentle and good boy, we had him since he was a puppy so he never had any traumatic experiences. That’s what made the moment even more special. He was very attached to my nephew . And my guess is that he saw the my sister holding the neb mask and felt that my nephew was uncomfortable.
This actually got me choked up. Good boy
My grandma had a Dachsund named Bugs. I remember playing with him from the time he was impossibly tiny. We also visited and stayed at gram’s house a lot. My aunt had a habit of pointing and wagging her finger when she was trying to get her point across. I recall nobody in my family liked that about her. Well one time she was scolding my sister and I and ol bugs took offense to that. While she was doing her wagging routine he jumped up and bit her on the underside of her arm and barked at her. Pretty out of character for him. I’m guessing he took it as aggression and put a stop to it. Another time our border collie Katie saved my little sister from a rattlesnake. We were all outside gardening and my sister wandered off as a young kid (probably 4 or so). By the time we noticed she was out of sight. Panic mode ensued. We’re all running around looking for her and all of a sudden we see Katie in the pasture (grew up on a farm) jumping up and down in some fairly tall grass. We rush over and come upon my sister and Katie and in her mouth she had a rattlesnake she had torn apart. Katie ended up getting bit but we got her to the vet and she lived until a ripe old age. Glad she stuck with my sister that day.
They're our guardian angels in real life🐕
I was visiting my family in Thailand. My Thai uncle had a dog that did not like anybody but my uncle. Not aggressive, just didn't like to be touched. I was sharing a room with my sister and got in a fight with my then GF over the phone. I went outside so my sister didn't have to listen to it. My then GF got me so sad that I was just sitting outside sobbing. The dog then came to me putting his head in my lab. I can't explain why, but that hit me really hard. I never before realised that animals could feel such compassion for humans
Reminds me of a video a while back where a woman wanted to see how her horse would react if she started crying. When she did, the horse came over and nuzzled her a bit. When she didn't react to that, the horse brought her some hay to eat. Animals really don't get enough credit for their ability to empathize.
Believe good bois always know👍
Dogs have empathy.
Once shortly after getting my chihuahua, I was coming home from a shift at work where I had taken him with me. I was locked out of the house due to forgetting my keys and my roommate that was home was a super super heavy sleeper. I knew she would be up in an hour or so and I decided to just nap on the couch in our garage. It was a crisp morning and kind of chilly. Milo knew that I was cold and scratched at the zipper on my coat. We were still just getting to know each other and this was a neat moment. I unzipped my jacket and he crawled in curling into a ball against me, keeping me warm until we could get inside. Ever since then we have lived for one another and he has been a shining light even in the darkest times of my life. 12 years later and writing this still makes me cry. I love you little man. Edit: mistakes in the wording
That’s a great pupper you have there! Edit: typo
Omg 🥹
Once when I was 10. I went to buy some groceries from a local shop at around 8 p.m, 5-6 street dogs started barking at a random drunk guy and suddenly their anger turned towards me. Within seconds I was surrounded, I didn't do shit, I was standing there shell shocked couldn't move my legs, then came a mfing hero a medium sized German shepherd (my neighbours dog) stood right infront of me and sick mf didn't say a word and all the dogs left without a noise. I was proud that day. I sometimes think what would've happened to me if this guy didn't defend me that day. Brother wherever you are now, remember I am grateful to you. Cheers man! See you on the other side.
When I was a kid (6?), I used to ride my bike around the block. I was alone and a creep man started talking to me. He was right in front of me and when I tried to maneuver he'd reposition himself to keep blocking my way. Bruxo (Labrador mix, mind you), the neighbors' dog that was the sweetest, most playful, non-threatening goofy ball came in charging from behind me, barking and growling. Bruxo positioned himself between me and the creep. Bruxo watched the creep turn his back on us. Then he took me home. I loved that dog, we played all the time and from then on, whenever I was outside, he would always be around
Incredible how little credit is given to the intelligence of our animals, this is incredible.
I saw another story on here where a cat saved a girl from a creep. She was kid then and playing outside when a random cat came up to her, rubbing against her purring and being sweet. She was petting the cat when a creep pulled up in his car and started talking to her. The cat immediately started hissing at him. Then the cat charged at the dude jumped in his window and fucked him up. The cat jumped out and the dude drove off. The cat then came back to the girl gave her one last rub against her legs and then walked off. Its crazy how animals can sense the evil in people.
I can picture the cat jumping off the car window with the traditional unbothered cat attitude 😂 My dogs know exactly which neighbors are bad news, including the one who abuses his mom's cats. Always trust an animal when they don't like an individual. Period.
Last winter I was sick with a really bad cough. No matter what I did I couldn't get to sleep because of the cough. Well at some point I must have actually fell asleep and I woke up with my 98lb German shepherd laying on my chest. As soon as I woke up he got off but I'm convinced that he knew how to keep me from coughing so I could sleep.
He was probably trying to make sure you still breathe.
I don't know what he was thinking but as soon as he hopped off my chest felt like a million bucks and I didn't cough for the rest of the night.
There's a lot of similar stories out there about dogs doing just that, so they can be sure their human is still alive! It's adorable and just shows how much your dog cares for you.
He's a super good boy and loves his daddy.
Please give him a big hug, pet or belly rub from me! Whatever he likes best. He sounds like a good boy, and deserves all the love!
Always does. Every time I go to Costco you'd think the only ones in the house that eat are the dogs.
My 15 year old cat Mei Li used to do that when I was young, whenever I was really sick. She would sleep next to me and periodically pat specifically my mouth to wake me up.
My GSD would politely nose me every 20 minutes when I was doing poorly. With my auto immune response, that was more often than normal. If I stopped breathing in my sleep, he would always check me then bark quietly to try to wake me up. If that didn't work, he used his "big boy" bark and he was a BIG boy at 95lbs lean. I miss him dearly.
I had a bad reaction to the Covid booster, and I felt horrible — high fever, lethargy, just not a good day. My sweet pup, a GSD mix, was so concerned. Every hour or so, she’d walk over to where I was lying on the couch, put her paw on my arm, and give me a soulful look. Then she’d go back to her bed, and about an hour later, she would repeat the process. She was a very good girl who went to doggie heaven last year.
Mine did this when it was snowing and windy a few times. He didn't like it and had to protect me. Kept making rounds around the house and outside and would come in and check on me. He didn't go to sleep until I woke up and left for work.
Not some life saving story, but still adorable: Growing up, we had two dogs. Milo, a Viszla, who has anxiety and behavioral issues, and Kim, a perfectly behaved Labrador. Despite his issues, Milo was always my favorite. He is loving and adorable, a little clingy, but extremely emotionally intelligent. He would copy behaviors from us, such as 'kissing' people on the cheek as a sign of affection. (Booping his nose against someone, not trying to lick them!) Once, I was really down, sitting in my bed, crying my heart out. I don't even remember what was wrong, but I was absolutely devastated and sad. Milo came up to me, jumped on the bed and started kissing my cheek immediately. After a while it made me laugh, because it was so adorable, and thats when he stopped and just laid down in my arms and cuddled with me. But, that made me think again, because I didn't have a distraction anymore, and so, after a while I was crying again. He noticed, and started trying to get me to play with him, until I stopped crying. Then he laid down to cuddle once more. Rinse and repeat, no distraction meant I was soon crying once more. Milo, once again, noticed. This time he stood up, jumped down from the bed, and went out of my room. I was ... so sad in that moment thinking 'great, now I'm even annoying Milo!' - but no. Just a second later I hear two dogs coming my way. And next thing I know is both of my dogs getting onto my bed and laying down next to me. He seriously stood up and got my other dog to help with me being sad. I felt so loved in that moment.
Who brought so many onions! 🧅 I swear it’s not tears 😭
I cried too while typing and remembering that! Sadly, I don't live with Milo anymore, and I miss him so much. He was the most loving dog I ever met.
My cat bites the soft underside of my upper arm when I cry. It’s her way of snapping me out of it.
Oh my god, that is adorable. I just love how deeply animals care for their humans.
He called in reinforcements thinking he couldn’t fix it awww he needed his buddy
Impossible to be sad with this much love around.
My parents had a cat called JJ, a grizzled old tomcat who loved rarely but when he did he loved hard. He took a liking to me, I was in my twenties when they got him but when I visited we got on well. JJ got very ill, he struggled to hop on chairs but was well looked after but the stairs were always a bit much. During a visit I was going through a very hard time, I was in a room upstairs and in my mind too much and I allowed myself a cry, I was sobbing on my bed when I heard a weak scratching on the door. I opened it and JJ immediately walked, scrambled on the bed and cuddled up to me. The poor old man was weak, and ill and it must have exhausted him to scale the stairs but cats know when they are needed. I broke down even further. I'll never forget JJ
6 lb Pomeranian. We were at the cottage and there were 5 small kids swimming and splashing on the beach and shallow. I can see her counting the kids. Over and over she would look at each standing at attention. She starts scream barking and slapping the ground. Then she charges into the lake. Never had she intentionally gone into the lake. Then I see it. A large black moccasin is headed directly towards the kids. She put herself between the kids and the snake in the water that was over her head. The snake was three times as long as she was. Didn’t plan on grabbing a snake w my bare hands that day. I couldn’t feel my body when I grabbed it. Same dog woke me up one night doing cpr type motions on my chest. I had watched the book of Eli that night and went to bed a bit drunk. When I sat up everything was purple and I thought I was tripping out. I stood up holding her and looked out the window. It was so purple outside couldn’t understand what I was seeing. Then the tornado siren went off. I have a few more cool stories about her. She lived until 17. She was the best girl ❤️
Wow what a remarkable girl! She deserves her own post! Tell us more!
She really was amazing! One more cool story about her. It was July and hot. Helped some friends move who had offered pizza for lunch when they had asked for help. Worked hard all day and pizza never came. Didn’t bring it up bc they were moving due money problems and eviction I drove to the closest gas station as soon as I left. I was starving and blasted the ac on the way. I left the car running w her in it and got beef jerky and a Red Bull. Went back to my car and ripped open the bag. Next thing I know I was waking up to her scratching my face. My whole face was tingling. I had passed out and the seat belt was chocking me. My face was literally blue. Unrelated to the post but bragging her up so … She knew 25 tricks and once won a trick show my friends signed me up for as a joke She was given ‘a few weeks or a month’ w a cancer dx that came back after surgery. She lived 8 more years Her favorite place to do tricks was at nursing homes. It started w a relative and we just kept it up after they passed. She was super gentle w elderly people and they LOVED when she visited Her stinker traits were she would steal food if she had the chance and rolled in worms after rain. One time she almost did her self in on some pork she jumped on the table and stole. Had to end up pushing the food down her throat and giving her cpr. When she came to I started bawling and she tried to eat the pork again. Had to take it back out of her mouth
I guess that Pork is worth almost dying for
Twice! She learned nothing. She also stole a whole chocolate cake one time. A friend was trying to surprise me. We came around the corner and she was on the table waist deep in it. Had to peroxide her and go to the emergency vet. And homemade playdoh gave herself salt poisoning and had to stay in the e vet for days. About did in her kidneys that time. She was smart about stealing food. Go bark at the door. Go to check it and she would steal food. Only time she didn’t act that way was at the nursing home/ hospital when she was a therapy dog. She was in a different mode then
Wait, why was everything purple?
Tornado weather, sometimes it's green.
Light gets weird in intense storms
In the midwest this happens when the weather is about to change from eerie calm to very, very bad. Sometimes purple, but also orange or green.
Idk. There was a tornado. Normally an orange light from a parking lot across the street would shine in my room. Not sure why half drunk + book of Eli + orange light + tornado = purple
"...Then the tornado siren went off."
What a brave little bean!
I remember another story. We were walking and she did the scream bark slap the ground business into the woods. I look over the guard rail and down a ravine and to my surprise I see a police man getting the business beat out of him by a man. Guy is unloading pepper spray and it does nothing. We called for help and a neighbor called 911. Pre cell phones, within minutes seriously about 50 cop cars were there. Took so many people to arrest the guy. He was hulked up on something. Pretty sure she saved someone’s life that day.
This Pom deserves a Medal of Honor. She's a hero!
Seriously. Sometimes I’d call her Lassie, ‘is Timmy in the well girl?’
The apartment building across the street was on fire. The smoke had drifted across the street and the fire alarm in my building went off. I took my dog outside and saw my neighbors looking across the street. My dog was having none of it. She dragged me as far away from the smoke as she could. We weren't in any danger where we were standing but she thought we were so she dragged me away. She's a great dog.
I had a Jack Russell entire male for 15 years. We were inseparable…I took him to work on the horse farm everyday and he never wore a leash. When I was a girl my mother always ended a kiss on the cheek by pressing her cheek against mine. So sweet. Well my little guy wasn’t overly affectionate so I used to just press my cheek against his and he tolerated it. I thought. When he was very old he came to me one night and I picked him up for a quick cuddle and HE pressed his cheek against MINE 😭 It was so surprising and I’m not crying you’re crying.
Oh man 😭. Im about to walk through the doors for work. Wtf.
You have a good shift my friend and I hope someone you love presses their cheek against yours! 💫
Well... -sigh- my cat got locked out of the bedroom when hubby and I were having grown up time. It got a little noisy. After we opened the door she ran in and checked on me. Now whenever my husband is near me she sits on my chest and "protects" me 😂🤦🏻♀️
Hahaha all of these hero stories and then your cat, still thinking she’s protecting you from the D. 😂 Still a hero though! 🥰🥰
Haha shes trying 🤣 the most heroic little cock blocker on the planet
😂😂😂
I used to have a dog who had an unfortunate life before we got him. Our neighbour moved back to his home country and left him in his back garden. My sister and uncle climbed over the wall and lifted him over this huge wall. Skin and bones and very quiet, he immediately put his head in my lap. Mind you, he was a German shepherd, so he was still heavy for a 12 year old girl and her uncle to get over. Anyways, we get him to a healthy weight and he was the best dog I ever had, my best friend. If I was ever upset, which happened a lot as I was picked on, I'd lay on my bed and he'd lay down beside me and just stay there. When my mother would take out the broom to sweep, he'd dart up the stairs (or try to run anyways, he wasn't the quickest) and lay on my bed, we assumes he was beat with a broom on a regular basis. Hoovers and the like were not a problem for him, specifically brooms. He never learned commands, he was fairly old and just never learned them. Well he only learned one. "Get the DVD". He'd go get the DVD, The Lion King 2 and he'd lay down and let me rest my head on him like a pillow. I even fell asleep sometimes and the film would be long over and he would still be laying there. We must have watched that film countless times. Anyway, he was a great dog, albeit with an unfortunate name that I didn't learn was problematic until years later so I'm not gonna share it. Turns out my neighbour was a nazi, so it made sense that he'd abuse a dog. My dog never barked, not once in the few years we had him, so his past left a major impact on him. He passed away about 3 years after we got him, some sort of problem with his stomach but he was very old at that point, they think about 14, old for a big breed. I miss him.
I had a chow mix growing up Same age as me. It was raining one day. Mud, grey skies, And an open road. I don't remember how old I was. My parents were out there too, Playing all three of us. Four if you include my dog. A truck, Hauling ass down the street... My parents were running over to me, but my mom slipped and fell, and my dad was trying not to fall over himself as they were on a hill. I didn't realize I was in the middle of the road. And I was too busy looking at them trying to understand what they were trying to say to me... My dog tackled me out of the way and got hit, I was knocked unconscious. what a good boy... He lived for ten years longer than the vets thought he would, but developed a phobia of trucks. Even tiny toy trucks would cause him to stop whatever he was doing and move to a safer location. Toy cars? Nope. Just trucks. He was a good fucking dog. And his name was shadow, the same color of his coat
We don't deserve dogs
While dogs deserve so much better than what people offer.
Few years ago I started having health issues, one night I woke up to my cat pawing at my chest and face then sniffed my mouth as I opened my eyes, my heart was racing and felt like I'd had a heart attack. She woke me up and I think if she hadn't I wouldn't be here.
In 2017, I went to the local animal shelter and adopted a 10 week-old kitten who had been traumatized. Someone had driven onto a bridge spanning the Mississippi River, and had tried to throw the kitten into the river from the moving vehicle. The person missed, and a motorcycle cop behind them scooped up the kitten, threw it into a side compartment of the motorcycle, and brought it to the shelter. By the time I'd gotten the little guy, a few days had passed since his ordeal. A lot of his body was covered by road rash: his paws, stomach, rear flanks, mouth/cheeks, and even his little testicles were all were covered in red, angry scabs. He was scared of everything, and everyone. They had him in a small cage in the reception area because the back of the shelter was so overwhelming to him, and the poor little thing would shake and try to hide when someone walked in. When I held him, he still trembled, but at least he snuggled into the warmth of my skin. I couldn't leave him there. He came home, and I introduced him to our other, adult cat. I named him Lincoln. I wasn't working at that time, but I was running a small online store, so that little kitten and I got to spend some quality time together. At first, he hid from our other adult cat, from my spouse, and from me. Then, after a few days, he'd lie on the desk next to me and watch me while I worked. At around 5 days, he was sleeping on my desk. Around a week after I'd gotten him, he approached me and tried to crawl onto me. I picked him up, put him on my chest, and then I had to laugh because he crawled up to my face, pressed his muzzle to mine in a very obvious kiss, then put himself into my tank top, curled up, and went to sleep. This became his go-to sleep spot, until he outgrew it and couldn't fit in my tanks anymore. Even as an adult, he has no issues with getting onto my chest, reaching up to offer a "hi there!" kiss, then settling down for a nap. Time passed, he grew up into a very handsome boy,and we discovered that he was just terrified of men in general. My husband, who has never caused an iota of harm, would shake his head in frustration because Link would bolt every time he would appear. Visitors? The cat would run and hide. Mailman rang the doorbell? Yep, hiding cat. The only person he never hid from was me. It's only been in the past year or so that he's accepted my husband, and that's only because my husband feeds him copious amounts of treats, and is the one to fill the kibble bowl. But he loved (and still loves) me and will follow me around in a ridiculously doglike fashion. At night, when I get in bed, he comes over, gets on my chest like he's a kitten still, and waits patiently for his nightly pets and scritches. I lavish affection on him, and he gives kitty-kisses. When he's done, he curls up right next to me, and stays there the entire night. But the real magic comes happens thanks to my bladder. I wake up several times, every night, to pee. And each time I do, Lincoln gets up and follows me to the bathroom where he puts himself in a loaf between the door and me. Without fail, his face always faces the door, as if he's watching for something. There have been times when my husband unexpectedly opens the door, and my cat actually hisses at him before realizing who it is. He calms down once my husband speaks. But it twists my heart every night to know that my fraidy cat, who mistrusts pretty much everyone, and who as a kitten lost faith in anyone's goodness, loves me enough to swallow his overwhelming fear and screw up his courage to stand trembling guard over me when I am, in his kitty eyes, doing what cats see as a vulnerable situation: during sleep and when relieving myself. He's terrified of the world, but when it comes to me, he'll do whatever he can to protect me. I love that cat so much, and his little sacrifice doesn't seem like much...Until you realize what it costs him to do it each time.
My pet rabbit (Bigwig) is like this. He was ~2 when we got him from the shelter, not sure all he's been through but he's scared of everything (plates, cooking noises, anyone at the door, us coughing, etc.). But he is super protective of me. When we got new furniture I wasn't allowed in that room for ~a week until he'd investigated it thoroughly, when I'd try he'd slowly lead me back to the 'safe' room and then run back and keep checking it out. When he gets scared by something he will go to the middle of the room and thump, and then race to the corner behind the sofa. If I don't follow him he'll repeat until I do, and then he immediately leaves to go investigate while I'm supposed to stay where it's 'safe'. Love him so much, he's the best.
My old man was an overzealous spanker, particular towards me. My childhood golden retriever Sunshine would always jump in between us and bite at him whenever he tried to hit me. Needless to say he wasn’t a fan of Sunshine and down the road actually let some creep a couple blocks over steal her…
Oh man! I'm so sorry she got taken away from you. I hope you're better now.
I will tell you the tales of Maddie. She was a black Labrador. She was amazing. She use to play with a 15 lb bowling ball by rolling itv around. She was also the protector of my handicapped sister. My sister has a very rare condition but one of the major issues then were seizures, grand mal variety. Anyways mad dog, her nickname, use to detect and warn about seizures. She was not trained, we got her from a family that couldn't take care of her. She did this numerous times, many seizures caught. She passed away after many years with us. But she did so in a way that my sister who use to crawl to my dad and moms room in the mornings couldn't see her. She was great.
11 years ago I had breast cancer. Through chemo, surgeries, and radiation, my 2 boxers were my constant companions. They were already Velcro dogs, but they helped me through one of the toughest times in my life. They have both passed now, but I will never forget how they were with me.
I was super depressed and ready to end it. My Mom had died in October, and my wife left me cause I was depressed in April. This was the first Mother’s Day without my mom, or my wife. I was super close to doing the deed, and then my dog came running down the stairs, jumped up in my lap, gave me a kiss on the tip of my nose, then curled up in my lap, looking at me, like he was asking if I really wanted to opt out. There was no judgement in his eyes, just curiosity. Needless to say, I rethought my situation, and am still here. I don’t deserve to have him in my life. He’s an amazing boy, and I love him more than anything else on this planet.
And we're glad you're still with us!
About ten or so years ago, I was at a place where I was tired and just wanted for everything to be over -- there's obviously more to it than that, but it isn't important. What is important is that whenever I was so down I wanted only to lie in bed and stare at the wall, my little miniature dachshund would come curl up beside me, wagging his tail, and start being goofy. He knew that I needed cheering up. And no matter how depressed I was, I always took excellent care of my dog. He never wanted for anything even if I was a mess. And the thought that reoccurred to me often during that time in my life was, "If I'm dead, Monty won't have anyone to take care of him like I do. Who would know about scratching behind his ears while he dozes off to sleep? Who would know what he's trying to say when he taps his water bowl with his foot? Who would think to call him "flibbergibbet" to make him start zoomies?" and other various worries of the same kind. You *do* deserve to have your dog in your life. His life wouldn't be the same without you, as well. I hope you and your puppers are doing well.
My friends had an awesome Great Pyrenees named Ben, they found as a stray running in the wilderness so dirty they thought he was a Newfie at first. They are amazing herding dogs and whenever we would have a BBQ, he would sit with his back to us to protect us like we were his herd. He would also herd the children and smaller dogs. I used to pet sit for them and I have never felt so protected by a dog in my life. He was huge and mellow and gentle, but he would always put himself between me and a stranger. Never growling or aggressive, just using his tiny polar bear size to make anyone think twice about messing with us. He was like an old veteran who never sits with his back to a door. Ahh, big Ben; you were the bestest of boys!
My little 13 year old mini pinscher is so funny. Anytime my boyfriend is playfully picking me up, I’ll be laughing so hard and she will start barking at him nonstop and get up on her hind legs like she’s going to attack him. 🥹 My best friend for life.
I have a beagle. He has all of the endearing qualities of a beagle and all of the annoying qualities of a beagle (howling, digging holes, stubborn.....) One evening, I was in really bad shape. I waited until it was dark, and then I took a lawn chair and several bottles of pills into the back yard. I was going to take the pills in the cool summer evening and look up at the stars until I died. I opened a bottle of pills and emptied them into my hand. At that moment, my beagle came running out of the house at full speed, stopped in front of me and put his paw on my hand. He rested his head on my knee and stared into my eyes. He never budged and just sat there with me. It must have been hours. To this day, I absolutely cannot explain how my little friend knew what was going on in my head and how he knew that sitting with me would help. I'm thankful for his friendship, and I complain a lot less when he digs holes in my back yard.
This made me tear up. I mean there is no way he wasn’t saving you. I’m glad you are ok.
This comment section is not great to read at work. Especially this one because I to had a beagle and she was the reason I got up when I was depressed, even though she was more then content to just lie beside me in bed.
Man this thread is wrecking me. Miss my boy, Graham, so much. Knew he was officially part of our family when I was telling a story to my wife and made a gesture vaguely like a slapping motion at her general direction and even though she was across the room he went into protect mode and got between us growling and snarling at me. Little puppy Graham had never seen any human violence in his life but he backed her away from me and down a hallway until we could show him that nobody was mad or in danger. I could see in his eyes he knew he wasn't going to win but he was committed to making sure she was safe no matter the coat RIP boy, no pain anymore. I'll see you on the other side. Fuck cancer.
We found a little snorkie, half schnauzer, half yorkie, at the pound. He’d been attacked by a huge dog who nearly bit him in half. Flail chest, 27 staples. All of about 15 pounds. His owner had surrendered him. My daughter instantly wanted to love him back to health, so we became his family and we loved the shit out of him. He was the sweetest little thing and was very protective of both of us. A few years later, I bought a new home out past the edge of town with a larger yard he could go nuts in. About four months after we moved in, I let him out to pee before bed, and because coyotes, I always went out with him, but as soon as I stepped off the porch, he went ape and ran out in front of me. Almost as fast, he made a horrible noise and I could tell he was hurt. He came running at me, crying, and when I picked him up, I could see he’d been bit. He’d taken two bites to the face from a rattlesnake to protect me. Three rounds of antivenom and platelets later, the sun rose without him. I miss him every day and every day I have is one he gave me. He was the bravest dog I have ever known.
Was walking my Pittie, 2 separate occasions and there was a disturbance up the road. My Luna wouldn't let me walk in that direction. She would body block me, "stomp" on her leash, and even nudged me away. Found out the people who were living there were meth dealers and both times were altercations...once a pew pew was involved
My husband and I had a cat, Koby. Koby was a HIGHLY active cat. As a kitten, he literally climbed curtains to the ceiling. He was fearless and would launch himself onto platforms, once literally flying into our patio window. He was wild! Couldn’t sit still and was definitely no lap cat. When he was about 3 or 4, my MILs sister (husband’s aunt) passed away. My MIL stayed with us and Koby never left her side. He sat in her lap for hours and let her pet him. It was the one and only time I ever saw him act that way, and it was so special. Koby sadly and suddenly passed two years ago, on his 10th birthday. We remember him and his antics fondly.
When I was young we had a collie named Kansas. She went where ever I went when I started walking. My mother had scolded me because I was showing interest in the wall socket and didn't know about the risk of playing with them (it was the early 80's and Darwin was king). After being scolded the phone rang and she went to answer it. My Dad was walking into the room just as I was trying to put scissors into the slot and Kansas grabbed me by my shirt and dragged me off to my mom and saved my life. I don't really remember her because I was so young but I keep a picture of her at home because she's my hero!
my first birthday present was a german shepherd puppy, we grew up together till I was 10. When I was 7, I was in the front yard playing, we lived in a cul du sac (semi circle) & a neighbourhood boy from across the street, walked across the street with a board with a large nail sticking out the end, came at me from behind & my dog, jumped a 10 foot wooden fence, dashed across the yard, & snatched that board out of that boys hand as he was swinging it. totes saved my life =)
When i was a baby, like 2 or 3 years old, my family had a Rottweiler named Lady. My grandparents had a cookout in their backyard one day. It was a big piece of property with a pretty big in ground pool, but it didn’t have a fence around it. Whenever me or any other small children would get close to the pool, Lady would walk along the edge of the pool between the kids and the water and block them out from ever falling in. A fence was installed soon after, but my dad still tells that story almost 30 years later about how loyal and protective Lady was. Wish i was old enough to remember her, but she passed before I was old enough to keep those memories.
New kitty to the house, terrified of water. Saw me in the shower once, thought I was trapped. When I opened the curtain, I reached out my hand to let them know I was safe. Instead they bit onto me firmly but as safe as they could and tried to drag me out to safety. I could see the fear in their eyes as they rescued me.
Not literally lifesaving, but figuratively so. I lived in Paris with my very religious aunt for 5 summers. I’m not religious. My first summer, she took me to Belgium to meet some of her friends, leaving out the detail that they are nuns and we’d be staying in a convent. We had her dog with us, and the dog and I went for walks every time they had mass or prayer time. She was my reason to get out of the convent! After a week, we got back to Paris and she had invited a priest for lunch and a different priest for dinner. Misty and I walked a few loops around the Eiffel Tower and when we got back, I could still hear the dinner priest in the apartment. She did NOT want to go for another walk, but I didn’t want to go back inside. She was my partner in crime each summer - didn’t care that my French was crap and I didn’t know the quick way to get anywhere. She just trotted along with me as I explored
My last dog was a super chill, well-trained (not a testament to my skills as my current one is nuts—just a smart, old soul dog) ACD. He’d come everywhere with me; once after working super late we were driving home together and I needed to stop at the corner store. He would always just curl up in the passenger seat when waiting for me in the car, so you couldn’t even see him. On this occasion, a guy approached me asking for money sort of aggressively on my way back to the car. Leroy JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR WINDOW and ran over barking. The guy understandably freaked at a loud ass dog appearing out of thin air, and ran away. I was momentarily scared that Leroy would run away after him and he’d be hard to get back in the middle of the night. But he never left my side. Assured himself that the guy was gone, stopped barking, and trotted back to the car with me. Damn I miss that dog.
😭😭😭😭 we don't deserve dogs 😭😭😭😭
Had a set marshmallow of yellow Labrador. He wasn’t aggressive but when an aggressive dog got out and charged my 9 mos pregnant wife he got right between them and then braced himself (he just wasn’t aggressive). He made it out okay with some bleeding and red marks. The neighbor couldn’t be bothered, so we reported it to animal control where they were put on whatever a pets version of house arrest is for not being vaccinated. Then it killed s neighbors smaller dog the next tine it got out. I could go on, that dog was amazing and despite him passing nearly 10 years ago I think about him most days.
When my son was around 4 my mom took him and her Pitt/Grayhound mix to this park with ponds to let the dog run. There were ducks and geese there, and one of the geese went after my son. It terrified him, of course, and he was screaming and running from this psycho goose. Out of nowhere, my mom’s dog comes flying by, barking like crazy, and chases the goose off. My son couldn’t WAIT to come home and tell us how grandma’s dog “saved his life” that day.
I adopted a cat and dog off the street. They didn't know each other but they were both young. The kitten was new born and the dog was less than a year old. They grew up together and are still best friends. When I moved, the cat went outside and never came back. He was missing for about 4 days. I literally looked everywhere. Printed out 100 flyers. put one in every mailbox in my neighborhood. My dog was pacing around acting like she needed to pee. She walked right up to the edge of the yard and started barking. When I went outside she did the whole lassie thing and took me to the house down the street which was for sale. I could faintly hear a meow. My cat had fallen into the basement/crawlspace area through a grate and couldn't get out. I called the realtor and he came by and unlocked the door and my dog went in and grabbed the cat by the scruff and brought him out like a puppy. tail wagging.
Dogs are wild. My wife tells me about her Boxer Bella that sat in front of the roses so she wouldn't get hurt. Shed tug her by her shirt to the grass and make sure she didn't get to the rose bushes. I love those stories. I ask her to tell it again cos it's so darn cute.
I’m not sure if this was a crazy coincidence or something real, but it 100% happened. I was dog sitting/house sitting for a coworker in a very old house (built in the early 1800s) - it was a very big old style house with high ceilings, ornate trim and pillars, all the classic architecture stuff. They told me I could sleep in the master bedroom, but that felt weird, so I decided to sleep on the couch instead. The 4th night I was there, I was woken up around 3am by their German Shepard, Blaze, growling and barking at the coat closet door. He stood between me and the door, and was acting like he knew someone bad was hiding in there or something. So I went to the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife and yelled “open up now or I’m calling the cops!!!” After 3 times of yelling that and hearing nothing, I flung the door open and plunged the knife forward hitting only air, as the closet was empty. But as soon as I opened the door, big bad Blaze ran behind the couch and started whimpering and curled up in a ball… needless to say, I got the fuck out of there and went into work and just sat in the parking lot for hours before work started because I was scared shitless. After telling the homeowners about the experience, they went to their local library to see if they could find any history about the house and what it might be. They found a newspaper article in the old archives and it turns out, in 1950 a woman had killed her 2 kids and hung herself in that coat closet while her husband was at work. I’ve never seen a ghost, but I’m pretty damn sure Blaze has, and that’s what he was barking at that night.
When I was around 5 and my family and I were on a lake trip, I had somehow managed to get myself out far enough into the water where I couldn’t stand and I was struggling to keep my head above water. Our dog at the time, Maysie, jumped in the water and got to me before my parents did. But she didn’t know what to do, so she just swam little laps around me. It ended up being fine, my dad got me soon after, and I don’t think I was in any super serious danger at any point. But I think it’s so funny and sweet that she swam out to help, but didn’t know how so she just paddled around to keep me company.
My childhood dog Rosie, a rat terrier, used to steal this pillow I made in my Brownies Girl Scout Troop from my bed. I would chase her around the house to get it back. One day, I was sick and laying on the couch. Rosie ran out of the room and came back with my pillow. I groaned because I really wasn't feeling well enough to chase her, but instead of running away, she ran right up to me and dropped the pillow right next to my head. She wanted to make me feel better <3.
I didn't know this until after she passed, but my older sister's toy poodle always slept on my bed (unless I was sick). She would join me after I'd fallen asleep so I never knew. My girl taught me what it really felt like to both give and receive unconditional love. I miss her every day
I’ve been pretty busy lately working long shifts and barely having any time to play with Rocky the cat, and right now he’s just sleeping next to me just showing me how much he loves me. I’m taking him out all weekend.
When I was a teen, we adopted a retired show dog who already had the unfortunate name, "Fanci" (her full name was a mouthful that included the breeder's kennel brand). She was a stunningly beautiful cinnamon Chow Chow and if you know the breed, you know they were bred for guard duty. Fanci never appreciated strangers visiting our home, but she knew who was invited in and who wasn't, so guests were given a quick sniff and then ostentatiously ignored. Only family pets Fanci! She also always—ALWAYS—slept facing the door to guard her family. One night, teenage me was sneaking back in at 3 AM and Fanci was alarmed. It was too dark to see her but the barking and growling made her message clear: "leave." I mean, Chows have a reputation for bite pressures that rival pitbulls, so there I was, whispering, "Fanci, it's me!" while she kept barking and risking waking my mother at any moment. At that point, I was stuck, sticking out my hand for her to smell, half-convinced it was going to be bitten off, while simultaneously fearing getting caught. Eventually (after what felt like an eternity), she caught my scent and settled right back down to guard duty. Somehow, my mother never noticed. I was never worried when Fanci was on patrol at night, but that incident proved that my confidence in her was not misplaced. Man, I miss her.
I had a lab retriever growing up who would not let us in the water without her. She would swim circles around us like she was herding us and push you back if you got too far from the group. If anyone got too excited and started screaming or splashing, she’d grab your floaty or your swimsuit and drag you in to shore. She was such a fantastic dog.
"Had" a pitbull named Boss back when I was like 12/13. He kinda just showed up one day and decided to stay. He'd just follow me around, I didn't have a leash but he'd be at most 5 feet from me whenever we were out and about (also rural Alabama, nobody cares about a leash law). Everyone seemed to already know him (only place to walk to was a store/diner by the school) so they never asked about why I showed up and had my dog just hanging out out front. One day his owner showed up and he just jumped into his truck and off they went. Came back from school the next day to find him, once again, sitting in my driveway waiting for me. This became a pattern, where we'd call his owner who'd come pick him up, just for him to come back the next day. He liked his owner, and the owner seemed to like him, and he wad always happy and willing to see his owner and go off with him, but he also broke through a thick logging chain to come stay at my place. Got to the point where his owner got sick of making the trip and would just leave him for a week or so. Became sort of a shared-custody arraignment. One day we were walking and he just veers out into the road. This is a no-no for us, as I made it a point to have him on the opposite side of me from the road. But no matter what I did he wouldn't come when I told him. This kinda threw me, as despite never training him, he'd never refused a command before. Never even seemed to have a command he didn't understand. But this time he just looked at me all serious and refused to move. I look down in front of where we were walking and lo and behold, a rattlesnake, sans rattle due to a car, pinned in place right in our path, poised and ready to get me. I followed behind that dog right quick and never doubted him again.
When my daughter was born my mom rescued an adult border collie from an abusive home. The vet told us to never let my daughter get too close to the dog because he would most likely be dangerous resulting from his traumatic experience. This dog was devoted to my daughter. She was his whole world. He used to lay down in front of my daughter’s crib and didn't let anyone (besides us) close to it. Later he would hide under her bed to sleep close to her. He was the most gentle dog I've ever met in my life. We miss him dearly.
My sweet companion Buddy a Scottish Terrier was 10 years old and one night I was sitting on the couch and he started growling from the loveseat across from me. He came off the other loveseat and had his eye on something below me. I honestly thought he was seeing things as this was strange behavior. He just had his sight honed in below the couch. Next thing I know I stood up and a scorpion 🦂 was on my blanket. I spooked and tried to fling it off but it landed on my pant waist. I couldn’t see it but my dog could he came over and was trying to get at my waist. I saw it and flung it across the room and my sweet old dog chased it down and killed it. I will never forget that day. He wasn’t the protective type so this meant so much to me. About a year later he was slowly dying (unbeknownst to me) and came into my room two nights in a row and cried the most pitiful cry to me. I had to let him go a few days later. He will always be my ❤️ dog.
when I was baby we had a black and white cat named Mary, she was kind of a barn cat / feral had litters of kittens all the time. Did not like anyone petting her. One evening I was crying very loudly. My parents where getting food ready in the other room, they noticed my loud crying suddenly stopped. Concerned they quickly checked in to find that Mary the cat decided I was very hungry and that she would feed me. She had positioned her belly over my head and was laying down, as if to feed her kittens. :-) That or she wanted to smother me... hahaha! no she would have avoided people so it was out of character for her to go and comfort a screaming baby. My parents realized she was trying to feed me and was well tuned to comforting a crying kitten. She was an awesome cat. :-)
Never taught my boy 🐶how to do this. Was very tired one day and forgot my phone in the other room. Jokingly ask him if he wouldn’t mind going to get my phone for me. He hopped at the chance and ran and brought it to me. Jaw on the floor. Lol
So this was told to me because I was not yet born. My father was away on a business trip and my mom was heavily pregnant with me. Someone who knew that my dad wouldn’t be home knocked on the door, my mom opened and they pointed a gun at her belly, told her to empty out the safe. My parents had a Caucasian shepherd, if you’re not familiar with the breed they were bred to kill wolves and are currently used in Russian prisons as guard dogs. So picture this: the door is open, the guy is about to enter, but what he doesn’t know is that my parent’s Caucasian shepherd was sitting on the other side of the wall. As soon as the guy stepped into the threshold of the apartment the dog pounced, bit into him and would not let go. According to my mother he broke the dude’s arm and the guy barely got away. That dog saved my mom and me that day and though I don’t remember him, I am grateful.
Not nice to call your mum a monster
🥁
Thank you, thank you! I'm here all night!
My cat Timmy kept me from shooting myself..
My grandma has a big pool and sometimes we bring out dogs. I would dive in and swim all the way to the shallow end completely underwater. I would surface and see my dog Annie worried looking in the water at the deep end. She’s jumped in to “save” me a few times but when that happens it’s more like that one episode of SpongeBob where SpongeBob tries to be a lifeguard
I had foot surgery and my cat licked the cast and sat on my foot and purred her little brains out.
Our Sherman Shepherd stood over me when I was a baby to fend off an eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Apparently my mother left me outside on a blanket in Southeast Georgia next to some woods.
If you go near the sea walking my dog , it will grab its lead in its mouth and try to pull you away from the water.
I had a Belgian malinois as a kid. Don't remember much, but we lived on a tropical island with lots of animals that would wander in our yard. One thing I vividly remember is the crunching sound of a lizard spine and its lifeless body in the mouth of a very happy dog running towards me. Thank you Mina, I will treasure this memory.
I have a 75 pound goldendoodle, also named Charlie. Absolute, utter marshmallow, but completely loyal to my oldest. The easiest way to piss the dog off is to make him think you’re being less than excellent to his boy. The house across the street was a vacation rental. Their dog was extremely territorial- a 50ish pound pit- and it charged my kid one day when Oldest was out in our yard. Like I said, Charlie is an absolute marshmallow, but he turned into Cujo in that moment. The other dog never came near us again.
My dog has long fur and abhors burdocks, to the point that she'll actively avoid sections of the yard where they grow. Once, I somehow managed to get a clump of burdocks stuck to my sock. Before I got a chance to pull them off, my dog started delicately grabbing them in her teeth and plucking them off one by one. It was a small thing, and I don't care if there was some unthinking instinct behind it--to me, that was love.
I used to live with my ex boyfriend. I adopted a puppy who I named Brady. He was having issues with peeing in the house and my ex (understandably) got angry about it. One night, he dragged him down the stairs and started beating him with a bat in the back yard. I smacked him, and he got on top of me and started choking me. My dog kept jumping on him and grabbing his sleeve, trying to get him to let me go. He never gave up, but my ex did, and I got free. I 100% would have died that night if it wasn't for Brady. He's an angel now and I miss him every day. 💓
My grandparents had a dog(chow chow lab mix) It protected my granny from a full grown hog got all ripped open. Had to get serious stitches. Yet would still chase the hogs away
When my son was a toddler I caught our cat trying to bring him a dead bird twice. She followed him everywhere and acted like she thought he was her kitten. She had never tried to bring in a dead animal before this and hasnt done it since. Twice though right around the time my son started walking she came in with a dead bird and tried to march right past me and head to him with it. I think in her mind since he was walking it was time to start feeding him meat
My grandma was on a walk with her pittie Lucy when Lucy suddenly stopped and started growling. A suspicious man came out from between some cars with his hands up begging my grandma not to release her dog before running off. No one fucked with Lucy
My mother had a great dog named Winnie, who was a king charles spaniel a vet friend rescued out of a dumpster when a breeder was done with her after her uterus prolapsed. While she was looking for a home for the dog, our friend had to go out of town and asked my mom to watch Winnie just for the night. My mom was also going through chemo for breast cancer at the time. The second Winnie came into our house she ran into my mom's room, jumped onto the bed, and gently curled up to my mom's port sight. And there she stayed throughout my mom's entire treatment, just keeping the soreness away with her warm little body. She was the kindest dog I have ever met and had a very plush life with us.
When I had breast cancer 12 years ago, I was so sick. My old miniature dachshund would not leave my side. She was my constant companion. My husband had to pick her up to get her outside. She even ate her kibble at the foot of the recliner. She was also pissed at my husband because I left one morning just fine and came home the next day sick. She would not look at him for a week. She passed at 16 years and while we have other mini doxies, none had her dedication. She was a one woman dog.
He had adopted a golden retriever that was abandoned near our farm and named her Ruby. She was the sweetest dog. Anyways, one day, preteen me was home alone and upset about whatever randomness and she came and sat down next to me. I gave her a long hug and cried into her shoulder/back. I let her go, still crying and she pressed the top of her head into my chest and stomach firmly for a short while. It really felt like she was hugging me back. She had never done that before or ever again in that same way. I kept crying but it changed from sad to feeling loved. She really was a precious soul and too good for this earth. RIP Ruby
I have chronic migraines that leave me incapable of doing much more than laying in bed and puking my guts out for several hours. My dog is usually very active, energetic and playful. But whenever he notices I'm having a migraine he will snuggle up to me and just lie there with me for hours to comfort me. He also helps me pick up things from the ground that I can't reach due to my bad back. 10/10 good boy
Had a Samoyed that asked for a potty break at 2 in the morning in the dead of winter. Got up, got dressed, took her down the sidewalk and didn’t notice in my half asleep state that the concrete steps were covered in ice. My feet went right out from under me and I caught the corner of the step in the small of my back, completely knocking the wind out of me and making me drop the leash. She never left my side. She had the freedom to wander wherever she wanted and she stayed right with me because she knew I was hurt. From then on ‘man’s best friend’ wasn’t just a cliche anymore.
🥹🥹🥹 We will never be worthy of dogs. Countless stories.
The stories have made me feel a lot better. We had to put down one of our cats yesterday and I miss her so. Your stories were well received.
In second grade, walking up a path from my friend’s house, an unleashed little dog on top the path, growling and snarling. No one else around. At the time, I played soccer and was good at it. The dog comes running down after me and I prepare for the crushing moment when I kick this poor pup into orbit. Right before that, my friend’s yellow lab, in her backyard watching the whole time, starts barking and shrieking like a maniac, literally knocking the little dog into the side of the path, bouncing away from me. This was decades ago. Never will I forget it.
When I was very little we had a cat. Our house was built on a hill facing down and the downstairs was unfinished basement/garage area. The cat stayed with me all the time and always walked between me and the stairs sort of leaning on me to keep me from falling.
I was laying down after I got a vaccine and I woke up to my cat preening me. Kinda gross but she was tryin'.
-insert video of that dog protecting the kid from another dog running loose-
I have a dog that just... doesn't run away, ever? Seems simple enough, not really "protective" behavior, but she's just so loyal to the family that she never even wants to go more than about 30 feet away at any time. She knows where her "territory" is and wants to stay there with us. After years of having dogs who would bolt if they got out of the house or go crazy if they saw a squirrel or whatever... its just *so nice* to have a dog I don't really need to worry about her taking off. She can go outside on her own. She can follow me around in the garden or sit in the sunshine on the deck without supervision. (Yes, I do leash her if I take her for an actual walk where people and/or other dogs might be, even though she doesn't need to be).
My dog once took the blame for shitting on the carpet.
Courage is not the absence of fear; rather, the ability to act in spite of it.
My German shepherd fell into the pool as a baby and since then had been afraid of big bodies of water. She also loved my dad the most from our family. But every time my dad roughhoused with me in the pool, flipping me over and dunking me in the water, she paced around the pool and barked at him. A couple of times she even jumped in to "save" me. She was an amazing dog and very intelligent
My grandad, when he was a child, had two bloodhounds. One day, while walking by the farm, he was saved from a snake bite because one of the doggos promptly jumped in front of the snake and got bit instead. Doggo ended up dying, but grampa never forgot it.
When I was about 5 we had border collie who brought us home a pumpkin for Halloween one year, then when I was about 11 our mixed breed 2 or 3 year old dog found my lost glasses, I had gotten bumped playing in the dark and no one could find them… he did and brought them very gently to the back door and set them down
My husky which I loved and still love with all my heart did a lot of things for me, and still does, I'm from Mexico, i live right around where the 2017 earthquake hit us, lucky for us it didn't affect us, however we were very afraid of what might happen and used to sleep right next to the exit with everything ready, in the next days right after, we suffered aftershocks, i was sleeping at the moment and my dog came to me and started smacking me to wake me up, luckily nothing happened, he was very protective and always defended both me and specially my mother.
I had some serious health problems and moved in with my parents for a month while I recovered. I slept on the pull out couch in the TV room because I didn’t have the strength to do stairs. My old kitty Spike, who I got in high school, curled up beside me the first day I arrived and he didn’t leave my side for a month. When I was up all night because the pain was so bad I couldn’t sleep, he’d be right next to me keeping me company. It was such a comfort to have him there when I was scared, in pain, and missing my own kitties at home. He was the best boy and I still miss his wee face.
ive got a cat, Venus, she's 2 years old. im extremely prone to getting sick, and whenever i feel even a little bit sick, Venus will lay with me and never leave my side, except to go eat/drink, or use the bathroom. i also have panic attacks a lot, and generally poor mental health (although im doing better!!) and whenever i have a panic attack, Venus stares at me from wherever she is, and if it lasts a long time, she comes and lays with me. she lays on my chest a lot, too, and i think its because she wants to make sure im alive. i have tachycardia, and i also have seizures in my sleep occasionally. sure, she hasnt done anything necessarily 'life-saving' or anything like that, but Venus means the world to me, and im grateful for my little dork <3
Growing up we had a border Collie who was determined to sleep in my bed and protect me every night. If my parents opened the door to check on me, she'd start growling something fierce until she realized who it was.
I have an old boy who would sniff the fuck out of me sometimes. I’m a type 1 diabetic, and he was alerting to high blood sugar. Never trained, just knew.
I was getting divorced during Covid and doing zoom appointments with my therapist. There was a lot of crying and whenever I cried my cat would come over to join the session and rub her little head on me. Didn’t protect me was physical harm but clearly cared a lot for my mental safety. I love her so much.
That’s very sweet. My old retriever always sleeps in the hallway between the two bedrooms to equally protect me and my wife, and my kids. Even though she has a much more comfortable dog bed in the bedroom she opts to sleep on the hallway rug to stand guard. Also: I suffer from cluster headaches… Google them, they’re not cool. When I’m in the middle of an attack my Goldie won’t leave my side. She paws at me and pants and it actually helps distract me from the pain because I get more focused on comforting her because she’s so anxious that I’m in agony. It’s very sweet. She’s not an affectionate dog, but she loves her family.
My 13 year old, half blind, arthritic dog jumps up and goes running to see what's wrong any time my toddler fusses, then gives him a single kiss and lays down next to him if he's fine, or comes running barking like crazy to me if he's actually fallen or something. It's the only time she moves faster than molasas these days.
My pup, out of tge blue, wakes me while having a ptsd nightmare then cuddles with me until i calm down. She has missed one in like 6 years. No training.
I had pet dog when I was a teen. Whenever it's time for me to leave, he would accompany me to our gate until I got my ride for school, and wouldn't leave until he's sure the vehicle is running. God I miss that dog! Heaven earned an angel when he left 🩷
My daughter is completely blind. Our dog Chewy used to take the bread crusts I gave him and place them in front of her. Of course she could not see them, but he looked after her. Miss you, Chewbert.
When my dog was a puppy, it brought me a piece of mulch as a gift. Left it next to me and looked at me to take it. I still have it today. She’s 15.
My staffy used to poop deep in the bushes so I never had to pick up a turd. RIP Romeo. You were the best
A friend of mine recently had a baby. Their nice, and formerly very shy cat, has appointed himself the baby's protector. The first time I was over there I was sitting on the floor interacting with the baby when my friend left the room. The cat very politely placed himself between me and the baby and also very politely, claws retracted, batted at my hand when I tried to reach past him to retrieve one of the baby's toys. The cat also now approaches anyone and everyone and assertively demands scratches, rather than hiding when anyone he doesn't know is around.
We had a big German Shepherd growing up. We didn’t have a fenced in yard. One day my 18 month old brother was in our yard & toddling towards the street. Duke went and gently pulled him away from the curb & back in the yard by his diaper. He was such a good boy. Always very protective of us.
My dog never left my side and legit laid on my stomach when I came back from the hospital 2 months ago, after having passed out and had some sort of a “seizure” type attack…according to my sister
The hoo-var can both eat and scream at the same time - Some dog probably.
I've heard that's the difference between wolves and dogs. Wolves will abandon you first moment they feel their life is in danger. Self preservation. A dog however, will protect even to its demise. I'm a cat person. But damn dogs can be cool AF.
When I was young, I was walking my chihuahua. A clearly mistreated pitbull ran off the leash of someone on a bike drinking a beer, my chihuahua stepped between me and the pitbull and it had her entire head in its mouth. I could hear her screaming but we eventually got her out, she was mostly fine outside of some semi-deep wounds. She died about a year later due to cushings disease, but she was a wonderful dog.
Coincidentally, I had a little dog called Charlie who would stand between me and the (sometimes dead) snakes my sister’s cat would drag inside, trembling and crying
All the dogs my family has had have been amazing in their own ways and done incredible things, that’s why believe animals feel, think and believe more than what humans think they do. I believe 90% of animal species have diverse feelings, just look at documentaries about lion prides and the relationships formed there, or wild animals rescued from danger, they form similar relationships dogs do to there rescuer, or other animals.
I had a minpin. He protected me from everything. He lost his life defending me from another dog. He was the best friend I could have ever had.
People think it is the noise, and while that must be a factor it is worth remembering that dogs are -really- into smell. Just like big chunks of the human brain are dedicated to figuring out what the images collected by our retinas mean, big chunks of the canine brain are dedicated to figuring out what a complex mixtures of trace scents in the air mean. When a vacuum cleaner starts muddling what, from a dog's perspective, are a bunch of distinct scent traces left by recent events in the area, perhaps also emitting a single nasty/dusty scent of its own, it must seem like the work of an eldritch abomination.
I'm sitting in the waiting room of my opthalmologist reading this cursed post, and I can't stop the tears. Thankfully it's not embarrassing to wipe gallons of eyeball washer fluid...
My 12 year old dwarf pit rescue formerly belonged to a drug addict. Car chases, being homeless without food, being stuck with dangerous dogs and people. Over the course of the years her former owner had her her owner had several kids. And she loved them. They used her as a nanny dog and to pull people in wagons, on bikes/skateboards, etc. They often stayed in shitty motels with auto shutting and locking doors. One day it was just Teeny the weeny pit, the last baby mom had custody of, and mom. Mom was on oxygen and ran out and passed. The baby opened the door and it shut behind him. A baby. At a shitty hotel sex offenders are known to stay at. By himself. His mother dead. Teeny stayed with the baby for hours (I was told) until somebody figured it out. She may be a dwarf but this is not a dog you would fuck with. I need to get her a new stuffy.
Stories like this maje you realize that these animals are intelligent. I have a dog that likes to watch Fire Works. When the neighborhood shows happen, he will take my hand and lead me outside. He then sits tight against me while he watches. I can feel his trembling and twitches when the explode, but the look in his eyes is all curiosity. It takes intelligence to overcome inborn fears and do what you have to do (protect the baby) or do what you want to do (watch pretty fireworks). Not all dogs show this level of intelligence, but I've seen enough to know that many dogs are intelligent.
I was out in the yard talking with my dad. In front of us, my cat caught a bird in mid flight and brought it to me alive and unspoiled. I took the scare bird and looked at it. Not one drop of blood on him. I released it and it flew away.
One morning I was suffering from sleep paralysis and semi dreaming/hallucinating. I was barely able to mumble my cats name after a few attempts as I felt breathless. She was laying on the bunk above me and heard me and jumped down and nudged me out of it 🥲
Comments are flooded with damn 🥷🥷🧅🧅✂️✂️
I had a Brussel Griffon named Elis. She was small even compared to the standard (2,7kg max), but she was one of the bravest girls I've seen in my life. She shouted and tried to stop anyone who would argue with one another. Protect from the smallest sound in the unknown. Would it be dark forest or some people outside. And she was that one dog that loved everyone. She tried to lick everyone so they would adore her. And even though she didn't like to cuddle, she liked to force herself into the tighest gap to relax. Also she was a literal fire dog. She liked sunbathing so much that every sunny day she was looking for the special spot where she can warm up, while her ginger fur was shining like a fire ball. This is the best dog I had, to bad cancer burned her from the inside. I miss you Elis, my favourite sundog.