For Stevens County Sheriff’s Deputy Wright, it seemed like just another routine patrol in rural northwestern Washington. But then, something unusual caught his eye.
On the side of the road sat a dog, staring at him intently with a worried expression. It was as though she was trying to communicate, silently pleading for help.
Sensing that something was wrong, Wright quickly stopped and went over to the pup.
At first, he thought she might be lost. His instinct was to help her get back to her owner, so he tried to coax her into his patrol car.
But to his surprise, the determined dog refused to get in. Wright had no idea that this was only the beginning of an extraordinary encounter.
Asking To Be Followed
Believing that her owner must be close by, Wright decided to search the nearby forest. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t find anyone.
When he returned to the road, the dog was still waiting, her worried eyes fixed on him.
Wright tried again to move her away from the roadside, but this time she surprised him.
“… [She] took off up a slightly travelled, unmarked roadway,” the sheriff’s office later shared in a Facebook post.
Trusting his instincts, Wright followed the dog as she led him down the secluded path to a small summer cabin nestled in the woods.
The deputy began to check the area when suddenly, a faint voice called out for help. Spinning around, Wright spotted an elderly man lying on the ground near the cabin.
The man turned out to be Gita’s 84-year-old owner. He had fallen, injured himself, and was unable to get up or move.
To make matters worse, the man suffered from pre-existing health conditions and relied on daily medication. He had been stranded there for hours.
Gita Saves Life
If not for Gita’s loyalty and determination, her owner may not have been found in time.
“He had laid there for hours and may have had serious consequences if he had not been found,” the sheriff’s office explained.
The heartwarming story of Gita’s bravery quickly spread, moving many who read about her. It served as yet another reminder of just how unshakable a dog’s devotion to their human can be.
The sheriff’s office credited the 13-year-old canine for saving her best friend’s life that day.
I hope Gita’s beloved owner makes a full recovery and that this devoted pup continues to enjoy many more happy years by his side.
A big thank you goes to Deputy Wright for listening to his instincts—and to Gita, the courageous heroine who refused to give up until help arrived.