 | Tales of Exceptional Canines
Dogs add so much to our lives and ask so little in return. Our Dog Lore Gallery features Scout & Zoe’s Exceptional Canine Award winners. These dogs have shown they are not only man’s best friends and companions but also have elevated themselves to hero status in a variety of ways..... saving lives, searching for survivors, rescuing individuals in peril, performing tasks or providing comfort and therapy. Read, watch and amaze yourself with the tales of these very special dogs and the bonds they have with all of us. Dogs really are angels with wings.... you just have to look a little more closely to see those wings flapping.... |
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NAME: OLLIE BREED: BOXER AGE: 6 MONTHS PARENTS: THE HYDE FAMILY HOMETOWN: CANTON, GEORGIA |
While Ollie’s family was decorating their home for Christmas, Ollie began agitated. When his family did not respond, he began nudging and prodded his family to let him outside. Once he was outside the house, he refused to go back inside. With his head up and back arched, he would not budge. The entire family followed Ollie outside to see what was wrong with the pup. Once his pack was outside, Ollie relaxed. Jason, Ollie’s dad, then realized the gas fireplace had been turned on but the flame had not been lit.
Ollie had smelled the gas pouring from the fireplace as it was spreading throughout their home. When the family joined Ollie in the yard, they realized they had just dodged a disaster. Any open flame such as a candle would have caused the gas to ignite.
For saving his family from imminent danger, Scout & Zoe’s is proud to bestow our Exceptional Canine Award on Ollie. Being ever diligent and aware of his surroundings, he protected the lives of the people whom he loves the most in the world.
Good boy, Ollie!
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NAME: TARGET BREED: GERMAN SHEPHERD MIX AGE: 1 1/2 YEARS OLD PARENTS: SGT. TERRY YOUNG HOMETOWN: PHOENIX, ARIZONA |
Shot at by the Taliban while roaming the war-torn streets of Afghanistan as a stray and blasted by explosives, Target was adopted by American soldiers at a forward base in Paktia, Afghanistan.
Late one February night, Target and her pals Sasha and Rufus confronted a suicide bomber approaching the barracks. The trio alerted their U.S. troop family of approaching danger and attacked the bomber. The bomber then detonated his explosives in the doorway of the building. Had the loyal canines not been present, the bomber would have killed every soldier in the building that fateful night.
Target and Rufus survived the blast; Sasha did not. Their heroic efforts saved 50 soldiers from harm. Following the attack, Target and Rufus, having more than earned their stripes, were treated as members of the platoon.
Through the efforts of many, Target and Rufus were brought to the United States to live out their lives with soldiers they had saved in Afghanistan.
For this act of bravery, complete selflessness and dedication to those she regarded as family, Target is awarded, posthumously, the Scout & Zoe's Dogore Exceptional Canine Award. Thank you, Target. God's speed little angel.
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NAME: BUDDY BREED: GERMAN SHEPHARD AGE: 5 YEARS OLD PARENTS: BEN HEINRICHS HOMETOWN: WILLOW CREEK, ALASKA |
Buddy has earned his place as a hero by guiding an Alaska State Trooper through the woods, down three desolate roads to his owner’s burning house.
Buddy ran to the road and intercepted the trooper; the GPS unit in the trooper’s car had frozen. The trooper instinctively followed Buddy as he ran down the wooded roads. As Buddy ran, he kept looking back to ensure the trooper was following him. The entire incident was captured via dash cam in the trooper’s squad car.
With no formal training in search and rescue, Buddy acted instinctively and vigilantly to save his family and their home.
For his heroism, Buddy was awarded a stainless steel bowl engraved with words of appreciation from the Alaska State Troopers.
For this act of vigilance and dedication to his family, Buddy is awarded Scout & Zoe’s Exceptional Canine Award. Good Boy Buddy!
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NAME: MAX BREED: GERMAN SHEPHARD AGE: 15 YEARS OLD PARENTS: ANNETTE & TONY ZINTSMASTER HOMETOWN: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA |
Max earned his place as a hero through a long career in search and rescue. Training for search and rescue began at the age of eight weeks. Many missions for the FEMA Indiana Task Force 1, along with Max’s irrepressible attitude and work ethic, prepared him for his final mission in 2001 - Ground Zero in New York City.
Ever agile and accurate, Max and mom/handler Annette, worked twelve hour shifts each night for a week, reverently searching smoldering stacks of twisted iron and concrete for survivors.
Max doubled as a Ground Zero therapy dog for firefighters and police officers, holding still as these first responders silently embraced him during shifts amidst the heart-wrenching scenes and ragged terrain.
The ultimate team member, Max retired from active search and rescue service at age seven. Always the working dog, he still looks forward to daily romps in the yard with Kaiser and Jago, his doggie brothers.
For these acts of heroism, Scout & Zoe are proud to present Max as their very first Dog Lore Exceptional Canine recipient. Good Boy, Max!
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NAME: FAITH BREED: Labrador-chow mix AGE: 8 YEARS OLD PARENTS: LAURA STRINGFELLOW HOMETOWN: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA |
Faith has earned her place in Dog Lore history by being a survivor! Born without her front legs, Faith learned to walk upright on her two hind legs. An inspiration for disabled people globally, Faith is a daily reminder that no obstacle is too large to overcome.
Her list of accolades is extensive: reading therapy dog, honorary sergeant in the U.S. Army, national talk show appearances, comforting the down-hearted and most importantly, visiting soldiers returning to the States from war in far flung portions of the world.
Faith regularly visits veteran's hospitals across the country providing soldiers with actual proof that life can and does continue in a positive and fulfilling way following the debilitating wounds of war.
For these acts of selflessness, Scout & Zoe are proud to present Faith with our Dog Lore Exceptional Canine Award. Good Girl, Faith!
