Hero canine reunited with human caregiver. Following five weeks of separation due to both of their injuries, Mr. Darryl Steen of California, USA, had a joyful reunion with Diamond, the family's beloved one-year-old pit bull. One night in late October, the father of two awakened to Diamond barking, which he immediately knew was a sign of something unusual since the dog was normally very quiet. Getting up, Mr. Steen found a fire raging in the living room. He was able to gather his two daughters and quickly dropped the 8-year-old from a second-story window to safety, with his 16-year-old daughter requiring hospitalization for burns and smoke inhalation. With burns over 30% of his own body, the single father was hospitalized for many weeks.

Meanwhile, Diamond, who had been found alive, received around-the-clock care for severe burns and smoke inhalation until she could breathe on her own again, and is now staying with animal hospital personnel until Mr. Steen is able to provide a home for her again. Although unsure how to come up with the more than US$5,500 for Diamond's medical care as well as his own, Mr. Steen said in gratitude, “My youngest daughter just said the other day, once we get Diamond back, we'll be a family again. [She] saved my family. I owe her everything, I owe this dog everything.”

Our immensely grateful salute, young Diamond, for your loyal and lifesaving actions. May you and the Steens be fully reunited in complete health to enjoy many years of loving companionship ahead.

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_16752703?nclick_check=1
http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=rescuevolunteer&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=rescuevolunteer&plckPostId=Blog:rescuevolunteerPost:61bf67c5-0722-4bcd-80e4-b7dbc5f81d2b&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest
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