RCMP
CBC News reports that on Saturday night, 11-year-old Austin Forman was gathering firewood in his Boston Bar, B.C. backyard when his 18-month-old golden retriever ran towards him, jumping over a lawn mower and right into the path of a charging cougar.
"I knew at that moment that I would have to go get help, otherwise [Angel] wouldn't have any hope," Austin told CBC News.
Austin ran into the house, where he and his mother called 911. When Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived at the scene, they found Angel under the back porch with the cougar's jaws gripped around her neck. Constable Chad Gravelle shot two rounds into the cougar's rear end, but it continued to attack Angel. Gravelle then got closer to the cougar and shot again, instantly killing the cougar, who still had Angel's face clenched within its jaws, CTV.ca reports.
"I feel very, very lucky. If it wasn't for my dog, I don't think I would be here," Austin told CBC News.
The dog came out of the ordeal with some extensive injuries, including a fractured skull, according to NBC's "Today." She has undergone surgery to repair the damage, and her vets hope for a full recovery.
"She was my best friend, but now she's more than a best friend," Austin told CBC News. "She's like my guardian now."
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What a lucky little boy!! Angel was aptly named. Austin-be sure to "pay it forward" by helping animals in need. There is nothing like a faithful dog at your side.
To people with "outside" dogs--
Bring them in and keep them warm - don't tie them up outside. They love you and want to be your forever friend. You will be rewarded many times over!!
You never know how much these dogs give you until you lose them. Yes, they deserve love and for that, they will give their life and undying love. They depend on your for their love, health, warmth, food and drink but they give so much more.
I agree Cindy! I am so happy that everyone is safe! I would be lost without my Black Lab- Onyx. I wish I could save all of the animals that are in puppy mills or being abused. All they want is love. They sure give us love & companionship.
Cindy, I love you. At 52 years of age your response brought tears to my eyes. I'll share your story with my best friend, "Cooper" my golden retriever laying under my desk at work with me.
Well said Cindy. I hope this brings light to how great an animal companion can be. So go to your shelter and find yourself a friend for life. I frequently walk shelter dogs and I can tell you what angels they are.
CIndy:
I agree with you 500 percent. They are excellent companions and you would be hard pressed to find a human that is so loyal.
omg i hope everythings okay i would cry my brains out if that happened 2 my son or my dog totally would die if they did! goodluck with everything!
I love my 3 dogs more than I like most humans. Not that it applies here necessarily but the comments of some of the people that post replies only serve to reinforce those feelings.
I love this story and anyone in jail for raising dogs to fight each other needs to have this story told to them repeatedly to show them that dogs are more than property, they are companions.
BUT
Cindy, I have to disagree with your assessment that people with "outside" dogs should "bring them in and keep them warm". If Angel was not an outside dog, there would be a dead 11 year old boy that had been mauled by a cougar you would be reading about.
Great story! Great Response! Great suggestion!
To Jacob: The dog could have been an indoor/outdoor dog that was outside playing with the boy. I do believe that our furry friends that we claim as our pets should be brought inside to stay warm and be with us. Our dogs do want so badly to be where we are. It is so very cruel to tie them up outside in the cold and us inside where it is nice and warm. I think that people who do tie them up outside in the cold, should have to spend just one night outside in sub freezing temps to see how it feels. I bet they would change their mind.
This is a great story that reminds me of my parents black lab. I agree with you that everyone needs to bring their dogs in and treat them as a family member. My dad was at home sleeping one night and their dog, Sebastian, began barking and tugging on my dad's arm. After waking up, my dad realized that he was having a heart attack. To this day my entire family creates Sebastian with saving my dad's life. When the decision came to have Sebastian put down due to cancer, the entire family felt they lost one of our most important family members. This just goes to show that you never know when your best friend may save your life.
Jacob,
I have to say, that we do not know that this dog was an "outside" dog....he could have very well gone outside with the boy or had been already let out to water the snow. The same scenario goes had someone broken into the house and the dog saved the owner by fighting off the attacker (what if it had been an outside dog). It's like the old idiom....."six of one and a half dozen of the other". Either way, this is a wonderful story about love and friendship and why dogs are truely man's best friend.
CINDY,I COULD NOT SAY IT BETTER MYSELF.
GOD BLESS ANGLE AND THOSE WHO LOVE HER.
AND 'AKYE' YOU ARE A STUPID FREE LOADER.
jacob, you are such a simpleton and idiot. Because a dog was outside at the time of the attack does not mean it was an "outside dog". unlike any animals unfortunate enough to be owned by you, these people actually care for their animals by walking them and letting them outside to play.. Followed by bringing them indoors to escape the bitter cold. i feel sorry for your dog, as I am betting your guilty conscience pertaining to your own neglected animal prompted your ridiculous response. God what an idiot. I wish I could say your attitude surpises me, but I work with our local shelter and witness animals daily who were unlucky enough to have been "cared for" by people like you. Why don't you go to Michael vicks website, I am sure you will have more supporters there.. Moron
Cindy, couldnt agree more
WOW OMG! THANKS GOD TO WATCH OVER ANGEL & AUSTIN. THEY GONNA BE LIVE REST OF THIER LIVES, BLESS THEM ALL!
DOGS RULE!!!!!
AMEN
Beth:
Although I agree that dogs should be brought inside or otherwise provided warm and dry shelter in bitterly cold and wet weather, I disagree with trying to somehow compare an animal to a human. Animals, by nature, are built to better withstand inclement weather than humans are and, some animals are built to better withstand inclement weather than other animals. An Alaskan Malamute or Husky, for example, are built to better withstand inclement weather conditions than say, a Doberman Pincer. When you say that you'd like to see a human try to live in such conditions, I'm assuming you mean in an unclothed situation. Because, given the right clothing and, depending on the individual, a human can withstand some pretty severe conditions. So please don't try to compare a human with an animal.
Further, if one wanted to get technical about the issue, one might argue that owning a Golden Retriever in an area where cougars roam is reckless. I think if I knew cougars roamed the area in which I live, I'd feel more inclined to own a bigger and/or more aggressive dog, such as a Rottweiler, Great Dane or Bull Mastiff, among others. And, I think I'd feel more inclined to have more than one dog.
And, insofar as Angel goes? What an incredible, loyal, noble and brave dog. I am certainly so glad that she survived this ordeal and I hope and pray that this boy and dog spend many happy and wonderful years together.
geoffrey- you are the true idiot. you attack someone who made a valid statement. all you people arguing about indoor and outdoor dogs- shut up. fact is we dont know if this dog is always outside or was just outside for a pee break. doesnt matter. the point is the dog saved the kids life. and they were from canada. probably surrounded by trees and such. so most likely the dog is outside all day. i have 2 dogs: a mother and son. we cant keep the son inside with the freedom to walk around the house because we have cats and for some reason he wants to eat them all. so he stays in a crate inside at night and during meals. they both are outside during the day. they have a very very large kennel that they spend most of the day in. we go out and walk them and play with them when we can. we live on a farm, so they have plenty of room. anyone who wants to say im abusing my dog, feel free to email me, and ill be sure to tell you why you are abusing your animals, and why my animals are happy with the lives they have