Brian Myers owes his life to the very dog he had rescued just a few months prior, and their reunion after his hospital stay was nothing short of emotional. Myers had stepped in to rescue a 6-year-old German Shepherd named Sadie when she was surrendered to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in New Jersey. Sadie’s initial nervousness around men and defensive behavior made it challenging for the shelter to find her a suitable home.
Heather Centrella, the front office manager at the refuge, explained, “[She was] a little standoffish when she first came and she wasn’t sure what was going on. She became a little bit shut-down in the shelter, so we knew she was going to need an experienced home with someone who was patient.” Remarkably, it took just 30 minutes for Myers to decide that Sadie was the companion he wanted to bring home. Her supposed issues with men seemed to vanish, and they formed an instant connection. Myers declared his commitment to providing her with the love and caring home she deserved in a heartfelt Facebook post.
The remarkable part of their story came a few months later when Myers had a life-threatening stroke. During a typical evening at home, he suddenly lost feeling on his left side and fell between his bed and the wall. In his immobilized state, with no way to reach his cellphone, the situation turned terrifying. It was Sadie who sprang into action. She started licking her owner’s face in an attempt to revive him and refused to leave his side. With persistent barking, she hoped to alert the neighbors for help.
Myers reached out and grabbed Sadie’s collar, and what followed was nothing short of astonishing. Sadie summoned all her strength and managed to drag her dad across the room closer to his phone. As Myers put it, “She was not trained as a service dog, but she was in distress over what was happening, and she could tell that I was in trouble. I don’t know how she did it, but she knew.”
With his phone now within reach, Myers called for the much-needed assistance. Doctors later confirmed that Sadie had played a crucial role in saving his life. While Myers spent time in the hospital and rehabilitation, Sadie stayed with his family. They maintained a heartwarming connection through FaceTime, although Sadie found it a bit perplexing, as she longed to be physically with her beloved owner. Myers reassured her that he was doing everything to return home soon. The day of their reunion was filled with overwhelming happiness. Tears flowed as Sadie leaped into Myers’ arms, showering him with affectionate kisses. Myers expressed, “It was the best decision I’d ever made to adopt her. I really feel it was meant to be.” In this extraordinary tale, the bond between a rescue dog and her owner proved to be life-saving, illustrating the profound impact our four-legged companions can have on our lives.
You can watch Sadie and her dad be reunited in the video below.