Our pets often know more about us than we realize. They dedicate their lives to being in tune with the people in their family, which is why it’s not surprising when an animal without formal training can sense when something’s wrong with their human. Whether it's rescuing children from danger or alerting owners to a house fire, many pets have risked their lives to protect their families. Some animals even detect medical issues before we do, making them true four-legged heroes.
Bear, a Siberian Husky-Golden Retriever mix living in Ontario, Canada, is one such hero. In August 2022, Bear’s instincts kicked in during the middle of the night when he sensed something was wrong with his owner, Darren. The determined dog relentlessly jumped on his owner, howling in her ear to get her attention. Janice, Darren’s wife, woke up to find Darren no longer in bed and followed Bear downstairs, wondering what he was trying to alert her to.
When they reached the living room, Janice was stunned to find Darren unconscious on the floor. Bear had jumped over the couch and onto his owner, acting quickly to get her attention. Janice was able to immediately call for help, saving Darren's life.
Darren had suffered a massive heart attack, a “widow maker,” which typically has a high mortality rate without immediate CPR. Remarkably, Bear had performed chest compressions in an instinctive act of heroism. Though Bear had no formal training, his service dog lineage played a role in his natural ability to help. His actions likely saved Darren’s life.
Darren later recalled waking up with Bear on his chest, and though Bear wasn’t trained for such tasks, he instinctively knew what to do. Darren’s life was spared thanks to Bear’s quick thinking, and he was treated with a triple bypass surgery.
For his bravery, Bear will be inducted into the 2024 Purina Animal Hall of Fame, receiving a medal in recognition of his heroic actions. Darren tearfully shared that Bear’s actions made all the difference in his survival. Bear will be formally honored in a ceremony at Purina’s headquarters in Mississauga, Canada, cementing his place as a true four-legged hero.