Other “miracle dogs”
I don’t know if all dogs are “miracles” in their own, unique 
ways. They probably are. The “Angel Dogs” site explores this question in serious depth.
I call Shayna my “miracle dog” because we found each other when we most needed the other. Because the love and trust we’ve developed has helped each of us to heal from some pretty severe traumas. And because while neither of us is perfect, we are perfect together.
Recently, some friends sent in a few videos of extraordinary dogs that, I think, have benefited from the same kind of relationship that Shayna and I share — in which there are no limits to what she is able to enjoy and learn, and that I’m only too happy to try to teach her.
When a dog’s spirit is free to soar, and to enjoy the act of living, I think that’s when it really becomes a “miracle dog.”
I hope you enjoy the following videos. If you have a video that you think should be featured here, email me a link.
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A compilation of “miracle dogs”
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“Ricochet,” the surfing dog; a lesson in letting your dog be what he most wants to be
More of Ricochet here, here and at www.surfdogricochet.com.
“Chaser,” the Border Collie who’s learned more than 1,000 words
Family dog kept watch over missing 2-year-old overnight
(4/1/11) ELGIN, SC (WIS) – A missing 2-year-old boy in Elgin was found Saturday morning after Kershaw County deputies say the family dog kept him warm and safe all night.
Sheriff Jim Matthews said 22-month-old Tyler Jacobson was reunited with his family after he was found across the street behind a neighbor’s home when someone reported hearing crying in the area.
Tyler was reported missing around 8:00pm Friday from a residence on Ashley Creek Drive. Matthews said the boy’s mother, 25-year-old Jacklyn Marie Jacobson, and her boyfriend Jose Gloria told investigators Tyler went to get some juice and didn’t come back.
Kershaw County deputies used a bloodhound tracking team and a SLED helicopter with infrared capabilities, but called the search off around 12:30am Saturday. The search resumed around 7:45am, and the boy was found shortly thereafter. “Just thinking that a dog would watch a baby over the night, it’s kind of like a movie instead of real life,” said Emily DuBose, who lives in the house outside which the baby was found. (Read the rest here)
Golden Retriever dances the Merengue — unbelievable!!!
I’d never seen anything like this; trust me, you haven’t either.
“May you sing like no one is listening”
“Beagle learns to catch ball with paws”
A man and his dog, cat and rat all live together – in peace
Here is the description that accompanied this video, sent in by a dear friend:
“This is a video of a homeless man in Santa Barbara, CA, and his pets. They work State Street every week for donations. The animals are pretty well fed and are mellow. They are a family. The man who owns them rigged a harness up for his cat so she wouldn’t have to walk so much (like the dog and himself). At some juncture the rat came along, and as no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding with the cat and, often, on the cat! The dog will stand all day and let you talk to him and admire him for a few chin scratches. The Mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a holiday card.”
A Blind Man, His Guide Dog and Lessons Learned On 9/11
A story of a remarkable seeing-eye dog, Roselle, as written by her human companion, Michael Hingson:
Ten years ago, on September 11, 2001, 
I was working at my desk on the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. I stood up to grab some letterhead from the supply cabinet when I heard a tremendous BOOM! It was 8:46 a.m.
I was one of many thousands of people in the World Trade Center that day.
I had a good job that allowed me and my wife Karen to pay the bills and have a good life. But unlike almost everyone else in the building that day, I am blind and use a guide dog. When the terrorist-hijacked plane plowed into the building above our heads, Roselle was snoozing under my desk.
After the impact, the building shuddered and Roselle decided it was time to wake up. She emerged from under my desk, yawned, and quietly sat, waiting. Time to go to work. “Forward,” I said softly. Forward is used when setting off with the dog in harness, and it’s one of the very first commands all guide dogs are taught.
Roselle and I headed out of the office and navigated smoothly through the confusion, smoke, and noise.
Each tower had three stairwells. We ended up in the center at Stairwell B. Roselle was calm as ever and did not sense any danger in the flames, smoke, or anything else around us. I chose to trust her judgment because Roselle and I were a team. I clutched Roselle’s harness and with focus and confidence we headed down the 1,463 stairs to fresh air and freedom. We didn’t know that the worst was yet to come.
Continue reading this article here.
Note at the bottom of the article: Michael Hingson is the author of the new book, “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog & the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero” (Thomas Nelson). You can find out more about Michael at http://www.michaelhingson.com. Follow him on Twitter @MHingson or on Facebook: Roselle the 9/11 Guide Dog.
Hero Dogs Of 9/11
A tribute to the more than 300 search and rescue dogs that helped in the rescue effort at the World Trade Center in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Do they qualify as “miracle dogs,” as defined at the top of this page? Not directly – but to look at the smiles on the faces of the rescue workers as they performed their grim tasks with these courageous dogs, there can be no doubt that in the minds of their two-legged companions, these truly are “miracle” workers.
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