Two Incredible and Heroic Dogs

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Woof Wednesday

Dogs have a reputation for being loyal, brave, and heroic. If you've ever had the privilege to spend time with one, you know that this reputation is based on truth. Today, we want to introduce you to two unbelievable canines.

Of course there are many amazing stories of dogs and their feats of loyalty, bravery, heroism, and sweetness, but these two stories deserve to stand alone.

Got your tissues handy?

Loyal Until the End

Bobby, a little Skye Terrier, lived happily in Scotland with his owner during the mid-1800s. Unfortunately Bobby’s owner, John Gray, died in 1858, leaving little Bobby all alone.

The day after the burial, they noticed a little dog lying on the grave -- it was Bobby. They chased him away, but Bobby returned the following morning. And he kept coming back. Every day. Day in and day out. In the rain. Despite the cold. He came back to lie on his master's grave.

Taking pity on the small dog, they let him stay.

For the next 14 years, Bobby stayed at his master's grave, only leaving each day at 1 p.m. for his meal.

When Bobby eventually died, he was buried in the churchyard and given his own headstone, which read:

GREYFRIARS BOBBY

DIED 14th JANUARY 1872

AGED 16 YEARS

LET HIS LOYALTY AND DEVOTION

BE A LESSON TO US ALL.

Brave Like No Other

Gander was a big, gentle Newfoundland living in Canada in the late 1930s, and everyone loved him.

But when he accidentally scratched the face of a little girl, his owner, fearing Gander may be put down because of this, donated him to the local army. Gander would become the mascot of the 14th Battalion of the Royal Rifles of Canada.

When the battalion was shipped to Hong Kong to defend her shores from the Japanese in 1941, Gander came along.

There, Gander showed much bravery. He would bark and bite at the legs of the Japanese soldiers when they stormed the beach, and once he charged the Japanese, scaring them off and protecting the wounded Canadian soldiers.

The Japanese, for some reason, never tried to shoot Gander -- perhaps they recognized his amazing bravery and respected him …

But Gander’s greatest act of bravery was his final one.

During the intense Battle of Lye Mun, a Japanese soldier threw a grenade near a group of Canadian infantrymen. According to witnesses, Gander rushed at it, snapped it up in his mouth and took off, giving his life to save members of his battalion.

Over half a century later, Gander was posthumously awarded the highest medal of bravery, the Dickin Medal.

So there you have it, two amazing, heartbreaking, and incredible stories of dogs.

Woof! It’s Wednesday.