Just when you thought dogs
couldn't be any more incredible, they do something amazing like become
the first canine to enter orbit in a space shuttle, or have full-time
jobs saving people from drowning, and act as protectors for babies who
can't defend themselves. Dogs are so smart that they get trained to act
as part of police and military units—just look at this excellent doggo who fearlessly helped take down ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, over the weekend.
They're
also much more than man's best friend—they're heroes who are always on
the lookout for danger and willing to sacrifice everything in order to
protect their humans. Here are a few of the countless pups who have gone
above and beyond for the greater good, no matter the cost.
Laika the Cosmonaut
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| © Heritage Images - Getty Images |
Laika was a street dog and was chosen for the Sputnik 2 mission because "Soviet scientists assumed that a stray dog would have already learned to endure harsh conditions," according to Space.com.
Laika passed away among the stars as a return to Earth hadn't been planned for her maiden voyage into the cosmos. It remains unknown how long this sweet baby girl was able to live in space before passing.
Italian School of Canine Lifeguards Graduates
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| © Great Big Story@Youtube |
The 9/11 Rescue Dogs
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| © Stocktrek Images - Getty Images |
Riley, the Golden Retriever, (pictured) assisted in retrieving live people stuck in the rubble as well as bodies which included some fallen firefighters.
Bretagne (pronounced "Brittany"), another Golden, dedicated her life to helping others and formally retired at the age of 9 although she continued to assist with rescue missions after that.
Bretagne—the very last of those rescue dogs—worked tirelessly with her owner, Denise Corliss, to search for survivors in the rubble and continued to live a full life until she had to be put down close to her 17th birthday.
Unnamed Hero
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| © The White House |
The Belgian Malinois pup chased al-Baghdadi into a dead-end tunnel where he set off a suicide vest that killed him and injured the dog (whose name remains classified although there are reports that his name is Conan).
Thankfully, this hero is back with his handler and receiving lots of care. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reports that the pup is well enough to be back at work.
Treo the Bomb Sniffer
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| © Fiona Hanson - PA Images - Getty Images |
This handsome pupper is a trained bomb sniffer and has twice discovered hidden ones while serving in Helmand, Afghanistan.
Treo retired from in 2009 and settled into a simple life with handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe (pictured). In 2010, Treo was given the Dickin Medal—the top honor for military animals in Britain.
Edo the LAPD Hero
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| © American Humane@Youtube |
When gunshots rang out from the home, Edo burst inside and helped save the lives of two children who had been shot by the murder suspect. According to USA Today, Edo entered the scene at the exact right time and managed to save the kids.
No one was harmed except for the murder suspect who fatally shot himself.
Paris the Recycling Boxer
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| © SWNS TV@Youtube |
The boxer will pick up the litter which usually consists of plastic bottles, cans, and the "odd, large bit of wood," according to her owner.
Paris will then hold onto her finds and wait until a recycling can becomes available to toss them. Paris' owner says that she did not teach Paris to pick up trash, "it's something she's done from a puppy."
Killian Saves Baby Finn
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| © Mental Health Motivator@Youtube |
"We noticed the dog was getting very defensive when [the sitter] was around. He would growl and stand between her and [Finn]," the parents told ABC News.
Eventually, the babysitter was taken to court where she pled guilty to assault and battery and was sentenced to three years in prison and good boy Killian went on to psychiatric service animal training.
