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joonkeet
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May 16, 2002, 11:49 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1198 views)
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Faithful Dog Leads Blind Man Down 70 Floors Down WTC	Can't Post

Faithful Dog Leads Blind Man Down 70 Floors Down WTC
by Dogs In The News

Dorado's owner loved him enough to release him with the hope that Dorado could save himself. Swept away from his owner in the flood of people trying to escape the 71st floor of the WTC on September 11, 2001, Dorado fought his way back to Omar Rivera and led his blind guardian to safety.

In the aftershock of the worst terrorist gambit ever to hit the USA, we learn that the greatest inspiration can be found in the words, images and televised coverage of the American peoples' patriotic strength. But now, pan the cameras down a bit, and you'll find, just as heartening, the nation's dogs also upholding this great spirit of gallantry.

If you don't believe me, listen to this:

New York resident Omar Eduardo Rivera was unfortunate enough to find himself on the 71st floor of the World Trade Center north tower when the hijacked airliner struck the building 25 floors above him. Mr. Rivera, a computer technician who is blind, was in his office with his guide dog "Dorado" lying under the desk at the time.

According to the Contra Costa Times report, Mr. Rivera described how he unleashed his faithful friend, so that the dog might escape. But despite the chaos and the crowds of fleeing people, the four-year-old Labrador Retriever suppressed any selfish instinct for survival and instead stayed by the man's side and guided him to safety.

Mr. Rivera describes the drama:

"I stood up and I could hear how pieces of glass were flying around and falling. I could feel the smoke filling up my lungs and the heat was just unbearable.

"Not having any sight I knew I wouldn't be able to run down the stairs and through all the obstacles like other people. I was resigned to dying and decided to free Dorado to give him a chance of escape. It wasn't fair that we should both die in that hell.

"I thought I was lost forever—the noise and the heat were terrifying—but I had to give Dorado the chance of escape. So I unclipped his lead, ruffled his head, gave him a nudge and ordered Dorado to go.

"I hoped he would be able to quickly run down the stairs without me and get to safety. I thought he'd be so scared he'd run. Everything was in chaos. Glass was shattering around my head and people were rushing past down the stairs."

At that point, Dorado was swept away by the rush of people fleeing down the stairs, and Mr. Rivera found himself on his own for several minutes amid the pandemonium. But then the unexpected occurred, in the form of a familiar, fuzzy nudge from knee-high.

Mr. Rivera explains, "He returned to my side a few minutes later and guided me down 70 flights and out into the street, it was amazing. It was then I knew for certain he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was prepared to die in the hope he might save my life."

Inside the egress stairwell, they found some additional assistance from a co-worker. "I took hold of her arm. She went down on my right side and the dog on my left," says Mr. Rivera.

The narrow stairwell was extremely crowded, and confusion exacerbated the situation. "People were pushing and shoving past me. Everywhere there was a sense of terror."

But according to the man, order gradually prevailed: "...most people behaved quite prudently and grasped what was happening, so we walked down in an orderly fashion, but it was slow going. It was slow going because there were so many people struggling to get out but Dorado kept nudging me down step by step."

It took more than an hour for Dorado, Mr. Rivera and his co-worker to descend those 70 flights of stairs. Not long after they had reached the ground and gotten to safety, the tower collapsed.

Says Mr. Rivera, "I owe my life to Dorado—my companion and best friend."

EDITOR'S NOTE: While this story is copyrighted, DogsInTheNews.com graciously consented to allow reprint on AnimalsHaveStories.com. It is our joint hope that Dorado's story will enlightened those who continue to deny that our companion animals are capable of showing love, compassion, and self-less behavior when we need it most.

Regards
Joseph

Consult a vet. Be kind to pet

cdmoo
ALPHA

May 17, 2002, 12:37 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1197 views)
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Re: [joonkeet] Faithful Dog Leads Blind Man Down 70 Floors Down WTC [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Joonkeet,
My version is diff. from yours. The dog is called 'Salty' instead..but same owner !?!

Below is the link:
www.pdsa.org.uk/pages/page01_13_1.cfm

Infact, there're two lab. guide dogs rescued their owner on that day...

I attached the stories below. There're some pictures in the above link as well.

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On Tuesday 5 March, guide dog 'Salty' received his PDSA Dickin Medal from PDSA Chairman Mr Roy Trustram Eve DL. The presentation was made in New York, close to Ground Zero, at the waterfront memorial to the rescue workers who lost their lives on 11 September.

'Salty' and his owner, Omar Rivera, who is employed by the Port Authority, were on the 71st Floor of the World Trade Center when the first plane struck. 'Salty' refused to leave Mr. Rivera's side, and accompanied by Miss Donna Enright, Omar's supervisor, they walked down a smoke-filled stairway crowded with terrified people. Despite the overpowering stench of jet fuel, the splinters of glass and debris underfoot and ankle-high water, 'Salty' never hesitated or faltered.

Even when out onto the street and with Tower 2 collapsing behind them 'Salty' remained obedient and loyal as he, Omar and Donna ran for safety with the debris cloud chasing them.

'Salty' was trained by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, in New York, whose representatives also attended the presentation ceremony.

'Salty' received his medal for "great bravery, devotion and an unstinting willingness to assist in the face tragedy."

---------------------------------------------

On Tuesday 5 March, guide dog 'Roselle' received her PDSA Dickin Medal from PDSA Chairman Mr Roy Trustram Eve DL. The presentation was made in New York, close to Ground Zero, at the waterfront memorial to the rescue workers who lost their lives on 11 September.

'Roselle' and her owner, Michael Hingson, were on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center, Roselle sleeping peacefully under Michael's desk, when the first plane struck 15 floors above them. In accordance with emergency exit procedures, 'Roselle' led Michael through the office and to the stairwell to begin the long decent, sometimes guiding, sometimes following behind when things were tight.

By the time they had reached the bottom, it had become very hard to breathe and both were very hot and tired. 'Roselle' continued to guide Michael away from the building. They were about two blocks away when Tower 2 began to collapse; together they ran for the subway, 'Roselle' remaining completely focused on her work. When they emerged and were again making their way from the scene, Tower 1 toppled, showering them with ash and debris. 'Roselle' again stayed by Michael's side, eventually guiding him to the home of a friend in mid-Manhattan.

'Roselle' was trained by Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California, who are very proud of what she achieved on that terrible day.

'Roselle' received her award for "outstanding courage and devotion to duty."

----------------------------------------------------
Smile

regards,

CD Moo

joonkeet
Member

May 17, 2002, 1:52 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1195 views)
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Re: [cdmoo] Faithful Dog Leads Blind Man Down 70 Floors Down WTC [In reply to]	Can't Post

CDMOO,

Hey how come its exactly the same but different dog names? Hhehe...well..changes made after so many receiver eh?

Anyway, I got this article somewhere while i was surfing through the net where I found the 41 brands of kibbles that is dangerous to dogs.

Dog is a man's bestfriends. Oh.... shouldnt miss out women out there too.....SO let me rephrase that ....Dog is HUMAN's bestfriends. Er..ok?

Cheers

Regards
Joseph

Consult a vet. Be kind to pet

Dar
Dog Kichi

May 17, 2002, 9:15 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1188 views)
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Re: [joonkeet] Faithful Dog Leads Blind Man Down 70 Floors Down WTC [In reply to]	Can't Post

hello,

This is from the net too

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. "

Dar