Stories about pet dogs jumping in to save their owner from harm or danger are a dime a dozen. Yet no matter how similar the feats and acts of service of ever faithful mutts, we never fail to be in awe. A search of famous dogs that show several amazing pet achievements that will put us humans to shame.

 Several stories are about pet dogs and cats risking their lives just to rouse their owners in times of danger. Or a situation where a pet dog protects its owner from a mugger but ending up being euthanized after the mugger dies. Stories about valiant pets also range to being helpful to therapists to providing inner strength to patients and people in need emotionally. Companionship dogs abound, not only for the blind but also for patients on medication with difficulty in their mental faculties. Pets are also perfect companions for people who just need to get away from it all, once in a while.

We read about people who abandon their pets or just plain maltreat them. There is even controversial riff-raff (Vick) that just put a dog breed in the headlines by maltreating it at the same time its breed's head on the chopping board (BSL). We have also heard of hoarders who just collect pets like memorabilia and just wait for the pets to starve to death. With all the gloomy portraits a minority of pet owners (the irresponsible kind!), have made responsible and sensible pet owners just down right upset. As much as good 'parents' to pets would want to denounce such people, it just doesn't make a difference.

 The past two days have heralded 2 women who have risked much to save their pet dog from danger and death. One is an expatriate in Hong-kong. She saved her pet dog Poppy from the jaws and clutches of a 14ft. Burmese Python. While walking her pet dogs along a trail, the python suddenly lunged at her pet dog. Hearing the wrenching 'crying scream' of Poppy, she just put all cares aside and started hitting and kicking the python with all her might. Poppy was one of the pet dogs that kept the woman company, being far away from home. Against all odds, the python relented and gave her back Poppy while it slid out of the path way.

Another woman who had utter devotion to her pet dog is one who suffers from bi-polarity. She had Shadow as a pet and companion during her unaccompanied trips she was allowed to go on by herself. By misfortune, Shadow ran into a freeway and was saved from being run-over by its owner. It is sad though that the woman's efforts caused her life, the pet dog landed on the pavement hurt but alive.

These two women have shown their mettle by being through and through responsible pet owners. The devotion their pets have for them is seen in their acts of bravery, despite the cost. In society where most news is devoted on animal abusers and hoarders having a silver lining makes up for all the bad deeds done to pets.