Dog comes to rescue, pays with his life

[flvegan]

Just thought it would be nice if more folks saw this story of this magnificent animal...



By Nomaan Merchant, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, June 24, 2008

HUDSON — Baxter had saved his master's life once before.

Early Monday morning, when two armed burglars broke through the front door, he tried again. He growled and bit and fought. He ran into the night, chasing the intruders.

A shot rang out. A .22-caliber bullet severed the boxer's spine. A veterinarian ended his suffering.

Cathleen Coluzzi, who purchased Baxter as a puppy eight years ago, said losing Baxter was like losing a family member.

Coluzzi, 40, was doing laundry about 1:30 a.m. when two men wearing hooded sweatshirts broke down the door of her one-room apartment in the Parkwood Acres subdivision in northwest Pasco County. Coluzzi said she could only see their eyes as they pointed guns at her and demanded cash.

rest of story at link:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article640412.ece

[applegrove]

1. Poor boxer. Yes pets do save lives. I have a cat who has saved my ass more than once.

[Wcross]

2. Mans best friend.

:cry:

I have no doubt any one of the six I have would do their best to defend me. Some would be more effective than others though. I hope they catch these scum and put them where they can't terrorize any other citizens. (either in the ground or behind bars)
Imagine how low you have to be to do armed robberies of unarmed women in their own homes. People here wonder why I own several firearms & keep them loaded within reach? Hah!

[Shell Beau]

3. They are loyal to their deaths.

Bless Baxter's little ole heart! :cry: What a hero!

[Swede]

4. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friend.

RIP Baxter.

[skygazer]

5. Boxers are wonderful dogs

Loyal, friendly, funny and protective without being dangerously aggressive. My boxers wouldn't let a bird land in the yard when the kids were playing in it. Any kids, whether mine or not. When a stranger came to the door, they would line up in front of me and just look intimidating until I told them it was okay (and four Boxers can look quite intimidating).

Poor Baxter. What a good dog. :cry:

[Withywindle]

6. Aww, what a sad story.

Every time an animal-rights related thread comes up on GD and somebody starts scolding about priorities and the lives of people being worth more than those of animals, I think of stories like this, and...

Nope.

The lives of SOME animals are definitely worth much more than the lives of SOME people. No doubt about it. If I could trade Baxter for the turd that shot him, I'd do it in a heartbeat with no apology.