Dog Rescues Drowning Boy

Move over, Lassie: A real-life Black Lab has just gained hero status after saving the life of his 12-year-old owner.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on June 18 2008

Move over, Lassie: A real-life Black Lab has just gained superhero status after saving the life of his 12-year-old owner.

The boy, Tony Bailey of North Bend, Nebraska, decided to take a dip in the Platte River on Friday. He was a good swimmer, and had jumped into the local river plenty of times in the past. But recent storms had raised the water level and created strong underwater currents – a recipe for disaster.

Tony was quickly pulled underwater, but there was no one around to rescue him – with the exception of Jake, his dog. “I was saying, ‘Help, help,’ and I saw him jump in, and then my head went under, and when I came up, he was right here by me,” he told Omaha TV station KETV.

Tony grabbed hold of Jake’s neck, and the dog pulled him back to shore. Tony’s mother, Diane Bailey, was dumbfounded by the actions of her usually goofy dog: “You think you know your dog so well, but then he does something like this,” said Diane Bailey. “He’s got a big heart and he does have a brain in there.”

Tony was simply grateful. “I love him so much.”

Though Jake didn’t receive a medal for his heroic rescue, he got a much better reward, as far as he’s concerned: A nice, big bone.

Filed under: Animals and Pets, Heroes,

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