Dog Saves Owner's Life After Ski Accident
By: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell| Pet360.com
Skiing can be a highly exhilarating and rewarding sport, but it can also be an unforgivingly dangerous one as well.
Leonard Somers learned that lesson when he fell into a ravine, hit a frozen tree trunk and broke his back, which left him paralyzed.
"He mentioned if he didn't come down in an hour to come looking for him just because the snow was a little deceptive," Ryan Bame said of his uncle.
Lucky for Somers, his Alaskan Husky, Juneau, had accompanied him on that fateful day on the slopes near Berthoud Pass in Colorado. Juneau is credited with saving Somers from freezing to death. When the loyal canine saw her owner in trouble, she sprung into action.
"I saw Juneau running up the path," Jenny Beltman, another skier, told Live5News. Beltman originally thought, Juneau, was by herself, but quickly realized that the canine was drawing attention to her injured owner by barking.
The brave canine only left her injured owner's side once and that was to get help. Thanks to Juneau's actions, Flight for Life rushed Somers to St. Anthony's Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
Now, more than a week after the accident, Somers says he doesn't know yet if he will walk again, but says it could have been much worse, if it wasn't for his loyal 4-legged companion.
"I love her so much for her help," Somers told reporters. "If you ever see her on the streets, give her a big hug and a kiss."
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