Heartwarming dog stories:

Early in April, 2011, a miracle dog was found clinging to the floating roof of a house miles at sea off Japan.  The dog had survived three weeks without food or water, and exposed to the weather to say nothing of sharks and other predators.

When Coast Guard rescuers descended on a line from a helicopter the dog disappeared into the half-floating structure and could not be lured out.  The chopper then ran low on fuel  and had to leave the scene.

A Coast Guard boat, which relieved the chopper, finally allowed the dog to be pulled to safety.   The dog was in pretty good shape for having spent three weeks on a rooftop at sea. 

The dog was wearing a collar, but it had no address or information.  After three weeks, there was little hope of ever finding the dog’s owners.

         Then, a few days after the rescue, another “miracle”: the owners recognized the dog in news footage.  The couple were reunited with their pet, which jumped into their arms and happily licked their faces, all recorded on YouTube.  One story, two tear-provoking endings.Also in April, 2011, a 22-month-old toddler was lost near Elgin, S. C., and survived frigid overnight temperatures thanks to his best friend, a Labrador retriever mix, who stayed close to the child until the boy was rescued.

Also in April, 2011, a 22-month-old toddler was lost near Elgin, S. C., and survived frigid overnight temperatures thanks to his best friend, a Labrador retriever mix, who stayed close to the child until the boy was rescued.

Tyler Jacobson had only his T-shirt, diaper and dog to save him from death by exposure or wild animals.  The county sheriff said, “To tell you the truth, that dog is what kept him alive.”

After his ordeal and a medical examination, the boy was cold, but otherwise in pretty good condition.

His mother did not fare so well.  Authorities found conditions in her home to be “deplorable.”  No action was taken against her, yet.  Perhaps authorities should consider putting the mother in a kennel, or “training cage.”

           “Most owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog.”  Robert Morley