'Guardian angel' (poodle) saves 11-year-old from storm water ( I would have drowned)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10594864

Published Wednesday March 25, 2009
'Guardian angel' saves 11-year-old from storm water

Eleven-year-old Sophia Bouzis has wondered before whether her dog, Sterling, was more than just a dog.

"It's almost like he's my guardian angel," she said today. "When I don't feel good, my dog knows. If I get hurt, he knows where I hurt - he always makes me feel better."

Now, there can be little doubt.

Sterling, she said, saved her life Monday when she slipped into a drainage ditch filled with rushing storm water near 207th and Pacific Streets in the Skyline Ranches neighborhood.


Sophia Bouzis, 11, was trapped in a drain pipe near her home at 208th and Pacific Streets during Monday's storms.


Sophia said her head went under as her body was being sucked into a culvert in the ditch - and then she felt Sterling grab her.

"My dog was freaking out, I was going completely down," she said. "He stuck his face in the water and grabbed my wrist. If he hadn't been there, I would have drowned."

FULL story at link.

[Sequoia]

1. What a nice story. Thanks.

You got my vote!

[yellerpup]

2. Heroes rule!

Any species, every time! :kick: K&R

[Tigress DEM]

3. There was a comediene that used to do a bit about poodles.....

I remember the bit but not her name...


"They say Poodles are the smartest dogs and I believe it."
"I think Poodles will be the first dogs to learn to speak."
"And when they do, the first thing they will say is:
'Stop cutting my hair this way!' "


She had such a mellow and dignified delivery on it.

Yes, poodles are cool dogs and it's a shame to make them look like they got mauled by a lawn mower and lost.

[AndrewP]

4. I have a poodle and I just have her look like a regular dog

I could never figure out what the hell that haircut was about. :)

[Tigress DEM]

6. There is a reason - breed began as "water hounds" hunting in water.

But I still find Rita Rudner's routine hilarious

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/rita_rudner.html
<snip>
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.

http://www.ritafunny.com

http://www.slate.com/id/2095247/
<snip>

Cynologists agree that poodles in that era had these unusual clips out of occupational necessity: An unshorn poodle's thick coat could weigh it down in the water. With the bottom half of its body shaved, the animal was more buoyant and could swim more freely. The long mane and hair around the chest were left intact to keep the poodle's vital organs warm in the cold water, and owners also kept the hair around the joints to protect them from cold and injury and to help prevent rheumatism. Shaving the hair around the face left the poodle's mouth and eyes free so it could fulfill its retrieving responsibilities, and tying the hair on a poodle's head into a "top knot" also kept hair out of its eyes. Owners eventually tied these knots with brightly colored ribbons to help them identify their dogs from afar.

[Zoigal]

9. Thank you, Tigress. Excellent explanation.....z

[flvegan]

5. Great story!

Damn good dog, too.

[Neoma]

7. Makes me want a poodle.

Too bad I can't have a dog since I already have a cat. And what a hyperactivity she is.

[xchrom]

8. +10

[northernlights]

10. why no pix of the hero?

They show a pic of a culvert, but not the hero dog?