Guide dog sacrifices life saving owner's child

[Kadie]

Guide dog sacrifices life saving owner's child
10:03 AM, Sep 26, 2013



snip...
On Monday, Dave Furukawa, who is visually impaired, was walking his young son to school along with Simon. As the trio crossed Brownwood Avenue, witnesses saw a car run a stop sign and strike the 80-pound Boxer, then Furukawa.

Bystanders have told the Furukawa family that Simon's protective instinct kicked in, despite injuries that would prove to be fatal.

"What people have said is that Simon either got up or jumped out, and pushed my son out of the path of the car," said Furukawa,who has counted on Simon as his companion and guide for the last four years. "This is true loyalty and courage."

Witnesses lifted Furukawa's 4-year-old son, Will, and took him to his mother. Simon went with them.

"Broken leg, gash on his side and internal bleeding, but he followed home," said Furukawa. "Once he was sure Will was OK, he laid down.

more...
http://www.news10.net/news/national/258579/5/Guide-dog-sacrifices-life-saving-owners-child?sf17668574=1

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Simon earned his wings and halo.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Will Rogers - "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

A favorite quote.

[joeybee12]

2. There's a wonderful place for him in doggie heaven.

[longship]

3. Boxers are awesome dogs. nt

[samsingh]

4. wow

[cui bono]

6. Dogs are amazing.

Not sure why they had the dog walk home after it was hit though. I would have gotten it to a vet asap!

[Junkdrawer]

7. Even if they missed the internal bleeding, the broken leg....

should have clued them in.

After an accident, people don't always think clearly, I guess.

[Raine1967]

13. The dad was on the ground, people carried the son home to to the mom.

I don't think the dog was the first and foremost thing on the minds of people at the scene. The wanted to make sure the boy was safe.

The family didn't miss it, they were in the middle of a crisis.

[Junkdrawer]

14. Yep. Saw that in Kadie's later post.

[Kadie]

10. here is a little more info from another article...

snip...
Furukawa said that two bystanders took his son, William, to safety. He said that despite being badly injured, Simon hobbled after them to make sure the boy was safe.

"In spite of having a broken leg and a gash in his side and internal bleeding, he managed to hobble home to make sure that my son was OK because obviously, I'm sure the dog is thinking, ‘Who are these strangers taking my boy,'" Furukawa said.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23532158/seeing-eye-dog-sacrifices-life-to-save-owner-son

[AtomicKitten]

8. Good boy. RIP

[lpbk2713]

9. They can sue but that dog can never be replaced.

Simon was a hero.

[Scuba]

11. RIP Simon.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. happy for the kid. sad for the dog

[liberal_at_heart]

15. my husband's guide dog has put himself between my husband and a car before. Luckily the car

stopped in time. They are not only service animals. They are guardian angels. RIP Simon and thank you.

[Octafish]

16. +1

A Best Friend.

[anneboleyn]

17. Every service dog I have ever seen was/is just a spectacular companion and guardian

of his/her person. Many years ago I worked in a restaurant and occasionally patrons with service animals came in for a meal. The dogs (protected under state law thankfully so no jerk could complain) were always incredibly well behaved, wonderful animals. They always, without exception, curled up quietly under the table once their person was seated. They were always incredibly patient and protective of their people. This doggy's self-sacrifice doesn't surprise me at all. It is a very sad story but the young son is very fortunate the dog was there to protect him.

[hootinholler]

23. There's a training program near the Red line in DC

They bring the puppies on Metro to socialize them and get them used to the train environment. Those pups are working so hard, they always make me smile.

[Brigid]

18. The human race . . .

Is not worthy to have the dog as its best friend.

RIP, Simon.

[RedCappedBandit]

19. Fuck.

[msanthrope]

20. I need to go pet my dog. nt

[DisgustipatedinCA]

21. That was my first thought too. n/t

[hootinholler]

22. Hang on, I have something in my eye n/t