“I will never forget her loyalty and bravery on one of the scariest nights of my life.”
When Brian Myers adopted a shelter dog in September, he never imagined that she would one day save his life in return.
Last summer, a six-year-old German Shepherd named Sadie was surrendered to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in New Jersey. At the shelter, she appeared confused and lost.
The staff quickly noticed that Sadie was an intelligent and deeply loyal dog, but her nervousness around men and her protective nature made it difficult to find her a new home.
“[She was] a little standoffish when she first arrived, unsure of what was happening,” said Heather Centrella, the front office manager at Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, in an interview with The Dodo. “She became somewhat withdrawn at the shelter, so we knew she would need an experienced home with a patient owner.”
A month later, Brian Myers walked into the shelter and immediately noticed Sadie. After learning about her struggles with men, he was determined to earn her trust.
“I could tell she was a great dog, and within 30 minutes, I decided to adopt her,” Myers wrote on Facebook. “She jumped into my car, and from that moment, we formed a strong bond. I worked through her issues and committed to giving her the home and love she deserved.”
Myers and Sadie quickly became inseparable best friends. But just a few months later, Sadie nearly lost her home for the second time.
One night, while alone at home, Myers suffered a stroke and collapsed to the floor. Seeing her owner in distress, Sadie refused to leave his side. She licked his face to keep him conscious and cried out, trying to alert the neighbors that something was terribly wrong.
Unable to stand, Myers needed help—but Sadie knew exactly what to do. As he grabbed onto her collar, the loyal dog sprang into action, using all her strength to drag him across the room toward his phone.
“She knew I was in trouble and was very distressed,” Myers recalled. “When I took hold of her collar, she instinctively began pulling with all her might. Thanks to her, I was able to reach my phone and call for help.”
Now, Myers is recovering in a rehabilitation center, working toward getting back on his feet. While he is away, Sadie is staying with his family and eagerly waiting for the moment they can reunite.
“They do FaceTime calls, though she gets a little confused because she just wants to be with him,” Centrella said. “She cries for him, but he reassures her that he’s doing everything he can to come home soon.”
Myers hopes that sharing his story will inspire others to see the incredible potential of shelter dogs. He never gave up on Sadie—and when he needed her most, she refused to give up on him.
“I miss her so much and can’t wait to see her again and love her even more than before,” Myers said. “I promise to give her the best life possible and will never forget her loyalty and heroism on that terrifying night.”
