The eight-month-old Alaskan malamute puppy has been credited with saving her owner’s life, using her body heat to warm him for 13 hours.
An Alaskan malamute dog named North has been credited with saving her owner’s life by keeping him warm for 13 hours in freezing conditions after he was injured on a mountain hike.
Grga Brkic was hiking in the Croatian mountains when he was injured in a fall, finding himself unable to move.
When a team of 30 rescuers eventually found the man – at nearly 1800m above sea level – North was discovered “curled around him”.
The dog’s body heat had been vital in protecting Mr Brkic against hypothermia, which can lead to the complete heart and respiratory system failure.
While authorities said it wasn’t recommended for people to take their dogs while hiking in harsh winter weather conditions, North no doubt saved Mr Brkic’s life.
A post shared by the The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) praised the lifesaving pup.
“The friendship and love between man and dog knows no bounds,” it said.
“Together in happy and difficult moments, such is life.
“North passed without injury, but her friend, a young mountaineer, was not so lucky. She curled up next to him and warmed him with her body.
“Her loyalty did not end with the arrival of the rescuer, she was one of us, guarding this man for 13 hours.
“From this example we can all learn about caring for each other.”
Sharing an update, a woman known to Mr Brkic shared a photo of North at home, assuring Facebook users, that the hiker “will be fine” as well.
“North is home and welcomes everyone. Grga will be fine,” she wrote. “HGSS, we have no words … Thank you!”
In another act of canine kindness, on Monday a dog in the US state of New Hampshire led authorities to her owner who had been injured in a car accident and was in urgent need of help.
Police were responding to reports of a stray shiloh shepherd (who was later known to be named Tinsley) who took them to a badly damaged pick-up truck that had rolled over.
At the crash site, they found two men injured and in a hypothermic state after they were thrown from the car.
Speaking to CNN, New Hampshire State Police public information officer Amber Lagace said the incident was “almost like a real-life Lassie situation”.
“It’s really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives,” she said.
“I don’t think they would have survived the night given the temperatures.”
