How This Rescue Dog Became My Hero

In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching car crash, his devoted cocker spaniel sprang into action, her instinctual love driving her to seek help for her injured owner. Time was of the essence—would her unwavering determination lead her to assistance in time to save him?

That fall morning, my rescue dog, Daisy, joyfully trotted alongside me as I made my way to my Subaru. We had only been together for a couple of weeks, but a deep bond had already formed between us. A few months earlier, I had undergone heart surgery, and I believed that caring for a dog would inspire me to embrace a more active life. The loss of my beloved wife weighed heavily on my heart, and I yearned for companionship. It was this longing that led me to the local animal-rescue center.

As I approached, a little cocker spaniel caught my eye, trembling in her cage. My heart ached as I leaned in to get a closer look. She looked up at me with frightened eyes, and I could feel her deep yearning for love and safety. In that moment, I knew we were meant to find solace in each other.

I approached the shelter worker with hope in my heart. "She just came in," the woman informed me. "Her name is Daisy. She's five years old. The owner couldn't manage her care any longer."

The worker opened Daisy’s cage and let me pick her up! I stroked her silky fur and cooed softly to her. She stopped shaking and looked up at me with those big, bright eyes! The two of us went to the sunlit side yard, where I picked up a vibrant ball and tossed it far into the grass! I settled down on the ground to watch Daisy race after the ball, her ears flopping joyfully with each bound! She came flying back toward me, ball clenched firmly in her mouth, and leaped right into my lap with an infectious excitement! In that moment, I knew we were meant to be together. Without hesitation, I filled out the paperwork and took Daisy home, ensuring she would always have a place in my heart and life!

She followed me like a loyal shadow from the very first day. She adored snuggling on my lap as we watched the mesmerizing logs crackle in the fireplace. The only thing more delightful was when she nestled at the foot of the bed keeping my feet toasty warm through the night.

That October morning, last year, I made the decision to take Daisy with me while I tackled some errands. I grabbed my keys and ensured I had my nitroglycerin tablets in hand. I opened the Subaru's door and called out, “C’mon, Daisy, let’s go!” She eagerly jumped into the cab and nestled into the passenger seat. I climbed behind the wheel, feeling a surge of excitement as I started the SUV!

Turning around is always a challenge. We live in a secluded area up in the hills outside San Rafael California surrounded by majestic towering redwoods. You need to navigate up the mountain in low gear to reach our driveway which is just wide enough for one car and ends at a steep drop-off.

I twisted around and backed up slowly; just then, a flash of sunlight blinded me! I put my hand up to shield my eyes. I felt a jolt as the left rear section of the SUV dropped! Oh no! The edge—the car slipped in the soft soil and rolled! I hadn’t put on my seat belt yet; I was waiting to finish turning around! Now, I tumbled inside the SUV as it somersaulted down the ravine; branches snapped around me! The Subaru rolled faster! Four, five, six rolls, until I heard a horrible crunch! A giant limb plunged through the roof, hit my leg and chest, then embedded in the dash! We landed upside down… A searing pain shot through my chest! I was pinned! I turned my head desperately to find Daisy. She was still in the passenger seat, and thank God, she was okay, albeit shaken!

“Sorry, girl,” I gasped. I strained to free myself from behind the wheel, but the pain shot through me like a lightning bolt. It was pointless! Something was seriously wrong with my leg. Panic surged as I fumbled for my cell phone and dialed 911. Please, God, let this call go through! The phone beeped twice, and my heart sank. Just as I dreaded, I couldn’t get a signal at the bottom of this ravine. Now what would I do?

I figured we were at least 50 feet down! Sheila, my closest neighbor, lived a quarter mile uphill from me, and had her own driveway. There was no reason for her, or anyone else, to drive up to my house! Even if someone did, they wouldn’t see the wreck!

My chest hammered with a relentless intensity! Calm down, I commanded myself, knowing the stakes were high. I had stents in my heart, and panic was a luxury I simply couldn’t afford. With trembling hands, I groped in my shirt pocket and retrieved the nitro tablets—my lifeline in this moment of crisis. I quickly took one out, placed it under my tongue, and drew in a deep breath. Gradually, my heartbeat began to slow, but the pain in my chest remained a stubborn reminder of my situation!

Must’ve busted some ribs.

Daisy whimpered! At least I could get her out of here. There was a hole in the driver’s side rear window. It was small but just maybe… “C’mon girl!” I said. Painfully, I reached over and picked her up. I gently put her head through the hole, careful not to get her too close to a jagged edge. I got her fanny through and gave her a pat. “Go home, baby!” She jumped to the ground and raced up the side of the ravine!

My heart pounded like a jackhammer! So, I took another pill! Maybe the horn? I tried, but couldn’t reach around the tree limb! I shouted, knowing deep down it wouldn’t make any difference! No one would hear!

I sat there for hours, with my ribs throbbing fiercely! I knew, without a doubt, that I had broken some, and the pain was unbearable. My left leg felt completely numb, and I realized that if I ever managed to escape this nightmare, I might lose it entirely! I’d be a one-legged man, fighting the odds, with a failing heart, and a cocker spaniel named Daisy! Had she made it up the ravine safely? Did she manage to find her way back home? She hardly knew the area and the thought of what could happen to her filled me with dread.

The last bit of light, filtering through the leaves, faded away. Now, with the sun set, the air turned cold. I shivered. Maybe Daisy will get help! Who was I kidding? Things like that only happened in the movies! “What is it, Lassie? Is Jimmy in trouble?” Honey was probably lost in the woods, and I needed to face the reality that I might be alone in this darkness! And I’d gotten her into this mess! I felt my heart start racing again! Help me stay calm, Lord! You’ve blessed me with a good life, a wonderful wife, a loyal little dog! Watch over them if it’s my time! And if not, please guide me out of this! I’m so tired! My pulse was weakening! All I had to do was close my eyes and let go!

Slam! I jolted awake at the sudden noise. Was that a car door? “Help!” I shouted with every ounce of strength I had. “Help!”

A voice responded, “Who needs help?” It was Sheila, my neighbor! “It’s me, Mike!” I yelled back, with urgency. “Down here! Call 911 now!”

It felt like just moments had passed, when I suddenly heard the powerful throb of helicopter blades slicing through the air above me! The skilled rescue crew descended with urgency, making their way down to reach me. For the next 45 minutes, they worked tirelessly to cut me free from the wreckage of the SUV, and carefully maneuvered me up the ravine. As we soared towards the hospital in the helicopter, I felt a surge of hope, knowing that help had finally arrived!

I underwent numerous tests, X-rays, and received an IV; only to find out that I had broken five ribs, suffered from internal bleeding, and endured significant muscle damage in my leg. The ER doctor assured me that while recovery would take time, I would be okay. I couldn’t help but ask about Daisy. Sheila quickly reassured me that she was fine before they wheeled me off to my room.

I wasn’t going anywhere for a while; so, the next day, a friend brought Daisy to the hospital. She jumped up next to me on the bed and snuggled close. With her there, it felt like my pain vanished completely! “It was the most incredible thing,” Sheila told me later. “I got home from work, and Daisy was waiting for me. She was agitated and ran in circles, as if she was trying to convey something important! She was frantic!” Sheila decided to bring Daisy back to my house! And that’s when she heard me yell! It’s truly amazing how that little dog instinctively knew exactly what to do, and where to go, despite never having been to Sheila’s house before!

And here’s the kicker! Maybe, one day, not long ago, I was going through her papers that the shelter sent to me, and I discovered something astonishing! She had a different name originally! Can you guess what it was?    Angel!

Do you need a miracle in your life? Pray this prayer for an instant miracle. It is a powerful prayer for your miracle today.