Heroic pets: Animals who saved the day

Hachiko (Japan) – A loyal Akita who waited for his deceased owner every day at the train station, symbolizing devotion and loyalty. – 

Lassie (Fiction/Real Life) – Inspired by a real-life collie who saved people, Lassie became a symbol of bravery and rescue in both books and films. – 

Balto (Alaska, 1925) – A sled dog who led a team through treacherous conditions to deliver life-saving medicine during a diphtheria outbreak. – 

Tara the Cat (California, 2014) – A cat who fought off a dog attacking her 4-year-old owner, saving him from serious injury. – 

Kabang (Philippines, 2011) – A dog who lost her snout while pushing two girls out of the way of a speeding motorcycle. – 

Stubby (World War I) – A war dog who warned soldiers of gas attacks and captured a German spy, becoming the most decorated war dog in history. – 

Lulu the Pig (Pennsylvania, 1998) – A potbellied pig who ran for help and stopped traffic when her owner suffered a heart attack. – 

Kelsey the Dog (Michigan, 2017) – A golden retriever who kept her owner warm by lying on him for 20 hours after he broke his neck in the snow. – 

Dory the Rabbit (England, 2004) – A pet rabbit who thumped loudly and woke her owner during a house fire, saving her life. – 

Chi Chi the Chicken (India, 2001) – A chicken who clucked and pecked at her owner’s leg to wake him during a house fire, allowing him to escape safely.