9 Hero Dogs That We Don't Deserve
From trained search and rescue doggo's, to a cosmonaut, to a boxer with a penchant for recycling, here are 8 dogs who deserve all the belly rubs.
There are few things we can all agree on: the sky is blue, grass is green, what goes up must come down, and every single dog is the best dog. Not only do doggo's become our best friends and members of our families, they act as our loyal protectors, too.
Dogs have this incredible ability to be completely selfless and put others before themselves—and just when you thought they couldn't get any more incredible, they do something amazing like maintain full-time jobs saving people from drowning or tirelessly work search and rescue missions to save as many lives as possible. Dogs are so smart that they even get trained to act as part of police and military units—just like this excellent doggo who fearlessly helped take down ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
They're also much more than man's best friend—they're heroes who are always on the lookout for danger and willing to sacrifice everything in order to protect us. Here are a few of the countless pups who have gone above and beyond for the greater good, no matter the cost.
Leo, "The Small Hero With a Big Heart"
A tiny dachshund named Leo came to a 10-year-old girl's rescue in Pancevo, Serbia in 2015 after another dog attacked the child. Leo jumped right into the tussle and fought against the attacking bull mastiff mix, giving the girl a chance to escape.
Tragically, Leo died a few days after the fight from the injuries he sustained. To honor and memorialize his bravery and selflessness, a statue made in Leo's likeness was erected next to a park. It's reported that children often stop by the statue to pet its head and leave flowers and dog treats at its base.
As for the inscription on the statue? It reads, "To all the small heroes with big hearts." We love you, Leo.
Laika the Cosmonaut
In 1957, Laika officially became a Russian cosmonaut and the first dog in space. The mixed breed went into orbit aboard the Sputnik 2 shuttle.
Laika was a street dog and was chosen for the Sputnik 2 mission because "Soviet scientists assumed that a stray dog would have already learned to endure harsh conditions," according to Space.com.
Sadly, Laika passed away among the stars as a return to Earth hadn't been planned for her maiden voyage into the cosmos. It remains unknown how long this sweet baby girl was able to live in space before passing.
Italian School of Canine Lifeguards Graduates
Dogs who graduate from the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards are certified heroes. The school trains Newfies, Goldens, and Labs to rescue struggling swimmers; around 20-30 rescues occur every year.
The 9/11 Rescue Dogs
Myriad search and rescue dogs were used to help sort through the devastating mess left behind after the horrendous 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Riley, the Golden Retriever, (pictured) assisted in retrieving live people stuck in the rubble as well as bodies which included some fallen firefighters.
Bretagne (pronounced "Brittany"), another Golden, dedicated her life to helping others and formally retired at the age of 9 although she continued to assist with rescue missions after that.
Bretagne—the very last of those rescue dogs—worked tirelessly with her owner, Denise Corliss, to search for survivors in the rubble and continued to live a full life until she had to be put down close to her 17th birthday.
Conan the Brave
This doggo is part of the Army Delta force and helped take down ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2019.
The Belgian Malinois chased al-Baghdadi into a dead-end tunnel where he set off a suicide vest that killed him and injured Conan.
Thankfully, this hero is back with his handler and receiving lots of care. The White House held a ceremony in his honor in the Rose Garden shortly after the al-Baghdadi mission.
Treo the Bomb Sniffer
Treo, the black Lab, has served in both Ireland and Afghanistan with the British military and is a decorated war hero, per Mental Floss.
This handsome pupper is a trained bomb sniffer and has twice discovered hidden ones while serving in Helmand, Afghanistan.
Treo retired from in 2009 and settled into a simple life with handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe (pictured). In 2010, Treo was given the Dickin Medal—the top honor for military animals in Britain.
Edo the LAPD Hero
Edo assisted the LAPD in capturing a murder suspect back in 2016 who had broken into a home where a father lived with his children.
When gunshots rang out from the home, Edo burst inside and helped save the lives of two children who had been shot by the murder suspect. According to USA Today, Edo entered the scene at the exact right time and managed to save the kids.
No one was harmed except for the murder suspect who fatally shot himself. Edo retired after six years of service with the LAPD.
Paris the Recycling Boxer
Paris does her part to save the environment by keeping an eye out for litter during her walks.
She'll pick up the litter which usually consists of plastic bottles, cans, and the "odd, large bit of wood," according to her owner.
Paris will then hold onto her finds and wait until a recycling can becomes available to toss them. Paris' owner says that she did not teach Paris to pick up trash, "it's something she's done from a puppy."
A good girl who also takes care of the environment? Paris completely has our hearts.
Killian Saves Baby Finn
Killian, a black lab and German shepherd mix, alerted his humans that something was wrong with the babysitter that they'd hired for their son, Finn.
"We noticed the dog was getting very defensive when [the sitter] was around. He would growl and stand between her and [Finn]," the parents told ABC News. Thankfully, Killian's protective instincts were spot on.
The babysitter was taken to court where she pled guilty to assault and battery and was sentenced to three years in prison. Good boy Killian went on to become a psychiatric service animal training.
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