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Dog Barks At A Stranger To Follow Him, Ends Up Leading Him To Two People In Dire Need Of Help
Close-up of a dog with a harness, barking and leading a stranger to two people in dire need of help outdoors.
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Dog Barks At A Stranger To Follow Him, Ends Up Leading Him To Two People In Dire Need Of Help

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It’s been said that a dog is man’s best friend. Perhaps no other animal is as loyal, and with their goofy smiles and puppy dog eyes, what’s not to love? Treat your dog well and you’ll have a source of unconditional love for years.

One dog recently got dubbed a hero after miraculously getting the attention of a stranger and leading him to its owners, who were both unconscious in a tent. Now the internet can’t get enough of the very, very good boy.

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    It’s been said that a dog is man’s best friend, and this doggo proved it yet again with his heroic actions

    Hero dog barking at a stranger, leading him to two people in need of help during an emergency situation outdoors.

    Image credits: WTAE-TV Pittsburgh / YouTube

    The dog kept trying to get the attention of a stranger, finally leading him to a tent encampment in the woods

    A man is recalling his encounter with a real-life Lassie on social media. Gary Thynes was spending some quality time with his dog at a park in Pittsburgh’s North Shore when another dog came up to them, ostensibly trying to get his attention. 

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    According to Thynes, the dog would come just close enough for him to be out of arm’s reach, and then he would bark, turn around, run a few steps, turn around, and bark again. “It felt like he was trying to get my attention… I got this overwhelming feeling that he wanted me to follow him,” he tells ABC affiliate WTAE.

    Dog barking at stranger holding a ball in mouth, leading to two people in dire need of help outdoors.

    Image credits: Mehdi Gholipour / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The stranger found two people, a man and a woman, both unresponsive, so he called 911 immediately

    Thynes says he left his own dog with a friend, letting the agitated pup lead him along a railroad track into a wooded area, where he got a creepy feeling. According to Thynes, he arrived at a tent encampment with two people. “At first, I saw just one gentleman. I tried to get his attention to wake him up, but he wouldn’t. He was completely unresponsive. I couldn’t even tell if he was breathing or not,” he said.

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    He then turned around to find a pair of legs sticking out of a tent. He tried to shake them, but the woman in the tent was also unconscious. He immediately called 911, and the place was swarming with police and medics within minutes.

    Dog on a leash sitting on rocky ground alert and ready to bark, helping to lead stranger to people in need of help

    Image credits: Ellgene Thynes / Facebook

    “I know how quickly you need to react to save someone’s life,” Thynes said. “And so, the very first thing that went through my head was: immediately call. Call the police. Get someone out there as fast as they can go.” The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety confirmed that an unresponsive male and female were taken to a local hospital.

    Man wearing black cap outdoors, sharing a story about a dog that barks at a stranger to follow him for help.

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    Image credits: WTAE-TV Pittsburgh / YouTube

    Help arrived soon after and the people were taken to hospital, but animal control said they had to take the dog to a pound

    As for the heroic act of the brave pup who alerted him to the emergency situation, he had this to say, “He’s amazing, and he definitely saved some lives yesterday. He is a persistent little puppy.” The lifesaving doggo is currently in his care while the man and woman remain in the hospital.

    Happy dog on a leash barking to a stranger, leading him to two people in dire need of help outdoors.

    Image credits: Zachary Casler / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    In a Facebook post, Thynes shares that he offered to take the pup in after animal control showed up. “Animal control said they had to take the dog to the pound, far outside the city. I figured that these folks wouldn’t be able to get out there to get him back … much less be able to afford the fees to get him out. So I said that I would take the dog home with me,” he wrote.

    Thynes said it’s “an honor” to help care for the courageous dog. “I know how important the unconditional love of your dog can be, and how much love they have for you,” he wrote. “So it is an honor for me to take care of this guy until his humans are well enough to reunite with a dog that loves them very much.”

    The stranger stepped in and offered to take care of the persistent pup until it could be reunited with its owners, and netizens are thrilled at the news

    Comment about pitbull behavior emphasizing dogs learn from their owners, highlighting love and kindness in training dogs.

    Screenshot of a social media post describing a pit bull dog guarding stairs to protect toddlers from falling.

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    Comment praising a smart and loyal dog for alerting and protecting people, highlighting dog behavior and protection instincts.

    Comment praising a Pitbull dog described as a sensitive and loving four-legged hero who saved lives by alerting people in need.

    Comment praising a dog that barks at a stranger to help lead him to two people in need, highlighting the dog's loyalty and human kindness.

    Comment from Candice Weaver Mathews praising the intelligence of a dog that convinced a man to help two people in need.

    Comment from Char Graham expressing happiness about a positive story involving a dog barking at a stranger to follow him.

    Comment on social media praising a dog that barks at a stranger and leads him to two people in dire need of help.

    Comment expressing emotion about a man caring for a dog who barks at a stranger leading to people needing help.

    Comment saying give the hero a juicy steak with a small steak emoji on a light blue background.

    Comment praising a dog that barks at a stranger to follow him, highlighting the dog's kindness and the man's care during recovery.

    Comment by Courtney Allen about pitbulls, emphasizing they are loving dogs when treated with care and challenging media stereotypes.

    Screenshot of a social media comment saying animals are a blessing, related to dog barks at a stranger story.

    Comment praising a dog that barks at a stranger to follow him, and commending Sir Gary for helping two people in dire need of help.

    Comment praising a dog and its owner for helping two people in dire need, expressing gratitude and blessings.

    Screenshot of a comment praising a hero dog for helping and guiding people in need by following stranger cues.

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    Ivan Ayliffe

    Ivan Ayliffe

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    After twenty years in advertising, I've decided to try my hand at journalism. I'm lucky enough to be based in Cape Town, South Africa and use every opportunity I get to explore everything it has to offer, both indoors and out. When I'm not reading, writing, or listening to podcasts, I spend my time swimming in the ocean, running mountain trails, and skydiving. While I haven't travelled as much as I'd like, I did live in !ndia, which was an incredible experience. Oh, and I love live music. I hope you enjoy my stories!

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    Ivan Ayliffe

    Ivan Ayliffe

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    After twenty years in advertising, I've decided to try my hand at journalism. I'm lucky enough to be based in Cape Town, South Africa and use every opportunity I get to explore everything it has to offer, both indoors and out. When I'm not reading, writing, or listening to podcasts, I spend my time swimming in the ocean, running mountain trails, and skydiving. While I haven't travelled as much as I'd like, I did live in !ndia, which was an incredible experience. Oh, and I love live music. I hope you enjoy my stories!

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 3 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    Read less »

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 3 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    What do you think ?
    Bookworm
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Animal control can pound sand. What a disgusting thing to do to people in medical crisis. Take their dog an onerous way out of the city and charge them for the privilege. Very good puppers deserves better.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who's a good boy? Extra ear scratches for him!

    Bored Birgit
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder why 2 people are found unresponsive in their tent and brought to the hospital to recover - one sentence to "what" and "why" of their condition would have been nice.

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I assume drųgs if two people were found unresponsive at the same time. And I assume they are homeless and living in the tent if he said he doubted they could get to the pound or afford to get their dog back.

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    Bookworm
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Animal control can pound sand. What a disgusting thing to do to people in medical crisis. Take their dog an onerous way out of the city and charge them for the privilege. Very good puppers deserves better.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who's a good boy? Extra ear scratches for him!

    Bored Birgit
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder why 2 people are found unresponsive in their tent and brought to the hospital to recover - one sentence to "what" and "why" of their condition would have been nice.

    Zoe Vokes
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I assume drųgs if two people were found unresponsive at the same time. And I assume they are homeless and living in the tent if he said he doubted they could get to the pound or afford to get their dog back.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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