My Dog Saved My Life

Both of us would have been killed that day had it not been for my Australian Shepard and to this day I still don't know how she knew we were in danger.

Penny was only a few weeks old when a friend of mine told me he had put a down payment on her at a local pet shop then changed his mind, asking if I wanted her. I wasn't in the market for a pet at the time and had never even heard of an Australian Shepard. Asking around I learned that they were very intelligent animals and made excellent pets.

We became the best of friends within just a few days of bringing her home. She had a gentle way about her and I enjoyed her company as much as she seemed to enjoy mine. Greeting me at the door every day after work, she bubbled all over with excitement, eager to see me.

During the week, we spent at least an hour each morning and evening walking. On weekends, I would take her to the dog park for a good run.

About two years later, on that particular day, the day it happened, Penny and I were returning home from the dog park. The weather was beautiful and we had both played furiously all afternoon, running, jumping, enjoying the nice weather.

Penny lay beside me in the front seat of the car as I drove out of the park towards home. About halfway between the park and home, we came to a traffic light. I glanced at Penny as she rested peacefully on the seat and smiled when her sleepy eyes looked up into mine.

The light turned green and I had just touched my foot to the gas pedal when Penny jumped to her feet barking hysterically at me. I hit the brake immediately and heard a horrifying crash!

A drunk driver had gone through the red light and slammed into two cars that moved forward when the light changed. I was in shock, foot on the brake, eyes and mouth wide open, staring at the horrible crash, seeing bloody heads and faces through the windows of their cars.

Being the first car in the left lane, I would've been the first one hit, killing us both instantly.

How did she know? She was lying in the seat half asleep. There's no way she could have seen it coming. Nevertheless, she was in my face, "shouting" for me to stop.

Most of my friends agree she probably heard the sound of the speeding vehicle and it does sound like the only logical explanation. Regardless, I remember the panic in her eyes the moment she began barking at me that day. Somehow, she knew we were going to die unless she stopped me from moving forward- and she did.