'Gentle giant' protected owner in burglary.
An Alaskan Malamute named Storm has been awarded the 2022 Blue Cross Medal for his heroic acts, and for supporting his family in their daily lives.
The 12-year-old dog beat over 650 nominees, impressing the judges with his acts of bravery. In 2019, Storm protected his owner Karen Crosby from harm when burglars entered their home in the early hours of the morning.
Storm prevented the thieves from getting upstairs where Karen was sleeping, and chased them out – making them drop the stolen items, later allowing the police to take fingerprints, in spite of suspicions that he may have been drugged by the intruders.
This was not Storm's only dramatic rescue – in May of this year, Karen was out shopping when her neighbour called to let her know that her house was on fire. Karen had left Storm inside with her three cats, Pushkin, Moonlight and Pippin.
When she got back, she saw that Storm had pushed two of the cats through a window to safety, and was waiting patiently by the kitchen door to be rescued.
Discussing Storm's act of bravery, Karen said: “The fire brigade could not believe how Storm saved two of my cats and trusted that help would soon arrive.
“The police were so impressed they personally took him down the road to his vet to check hadn’t inhaled the smoke or been harmed. The officer would not leave his side and said he was as good as a trained police dog.”
Blue Cross chief executive Chris Burghes congratulated Storm: “Being on the judging panel for the winner of this year’s award was an almost impossible task. We were particularly moved by the number of pets who really do help their owners’ mental health, some even preventing their owners from taking their own lives.
“It was a very close call but Storm came out on top, he is an amazing pet that has been such a valued member of the family when they have gone through so much.
“Congratulations to him and each and every pet who supports their owners in both day to day life and by doing incredible acts like Storm.”
Storm not only performs dramatic acts of bravery, but he is also an incredible support to his family. He supported Karen's husband Phil as an assistance dog, helping Phil with his walking after he had two brain injuries, and developed epilepsy and vascular dementia.
Now that Phil has moved into a care home, Storm continues to support Karen. Karen has degenerative disc disease, little sensation in her left leg, visual field problems and tinnitus, so Storm helps her to check traffic before crossing the road, and alerts her to the telephone and doorbell.
He also alerts Karen before she has an attack due to fibromyalgia and asthma, and comforts her with the pain.
Image (C) Blue Cross
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
