Superdog in Christchurch
For many of us, dogs in our lives are faithful pals who make our day happy, a man's best friend who keeps us company, and someone who will love and stay with us no matter what. But can we also count on them in times of danger and tragedy?
The answer to this question is a reliably "yes."
In fact, a guided labrador-retriever cross saved Blair McConnell during the Christchurch earthquake. He had been at Telecom's Old Exchange Building in Hereford St. He was on the phone, dealing with customers when the quake struck, The Sunday Star Times reported.
As the ground shaken and buildings fallen, the eight year old dog led the disoriented Mr. McConnell through the rubble and to safety along the Banks of the River Avon.
He dived under his desk where the dog named Kiwi was already under it.
"I grabbed his harness and he's quite keen to get out of the building."
They were out of the building in the middle of Hereford St. with hundreds of shocked people when the second big shake hit. There were lots of hysterical people screaming, but Kiwi remained calm throughout the terrifying pandemonium, leading Mr. McConnell to the riverside, until the passing by motorist stopped to help.
"I guessed the fundamental motivation of any animal is survival. Based on threatening situation, for them to put the safety of their handler... above the primeval requirement of survival is astounding," McConnell said.
Paul Metclaf, head of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Guided Dog Services, says no dogs bolted, abandoning their owners during the quake.
Unfortunately, according to Mr. Metclaf, there are many dogs were suffering from severe stress. They need people to work with the dogs to calm them down.
Some of the dogs will have to retire because of the stress they have been through. A harsh reality, that is. They would not put the dog under the same pressure again
But these dogs like Kiwi, is someone that Mr. McConnell would like to thank to for saving his life during the horrific turmoil.
The answer to this question is a reliably "yes."
In fact, a guided labrador-retriever cross saved Blair McConnell during the Christchurch earthquake. He had been at Telecom's Old Exchange Building in Hereford St. He was on the phone, dealing with customers when the quake struck, The Sunday Star Times reported.
As the ground shaken and buildings fallen, the eight year old dog led the disoriented Mr. McConnell through the rubble and to safety along the Banks of the River Avon.
He dived under his desk where the dog named Kiwi was already under it.
"I grabbed his harness and he's quite keen to get out of the building."
They were out of the building in the middle of Hereford St. with hundreds of shocked people when the second big shake hit. There were lots of hysterical people screaming, but Kiwi remained calm throughout the terrifying pandemonium, leading Mr. McConnell to the riverside, until the passing by motorist stopped to help.
"I guessed the fundamental motivation of any animal is survival. Based on threatening situation, for them to put the safety of their handler... above the primeval requirement of survival is astounding," McConnell said.
Paul Metclaf, head of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's Guided Dog Services, says no dogs bolted, abandoning their owners during the quake.
Unfortunately, according to Mr. Metclaf, there are many dogs were suffering from severe stress. They need people to work with the dogs to calm them down.
Some of the dogs will have to retire because of the stress they have been through. A harsh reality, that is. They would not put the dog under the same pressure again
But these dogs like Kiwi, is someone that Mr. McConnell would like to thank to for saving his life during the horrific turmoil.
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