A space for uplifting stories, like this:
I have this bad feeling that Sambuka would eat me.
One more loyal dog, now from Taiwan:
[quote][b]Sunday, July 6, 2008
Hero dog dies saving master from snake bite [/b]
Another loyal dog that gave its own life to save its master from a poisonous snake bite became a hero of pet lovers on the island.
A Ms. Lin of Gueiren in southern Tainan County adopted a homeless indigenous Taiwanese dog from a shelter of stray pets eight years ago. She named the new family member “Ahbao” (meaning “cougar”) because of its yellow color and running speed.
When Lin was washing clothes in the backyard at around 10:00 p.m. the other night, she was stunned by the sudden sight of a long snake. Before she could respond, Ahbao charged and started a fight.
Hearing the noise, Lin’s husband rushed out of the room he was in and saw Ahbao bite the belly of the snake to guard his masters. Seeing the snake losing its strength, Lin and her husband called the fire department for assistance.
Firemen said the 1.5-meter snake was a Chinese cobra, one of the mostly deadly species of snakes that often causes deaths in Taiwan every year. After being locked up in a cage at the fire department, the cobra soon regained its strengthen.
Ahbao seemed normal at first and played in the backyard. However, about 30 minutes later, he started foaming at the mouth and lied down in a corner.
The couple immediately rushed Ahbao to an animal hospital, but he died soon after from a snake bite near the corner of his mouth.
The vets at the hospital said they could not save Ahbao because the hospital did not have the right kind of anti-venom.
In commemoration of Ahbao’s heroic behavior, Lin buried him in the backyard and wrote an article expressing her appreciation for his sacrifice. The article is currently circulating on the Internet to be shared by countless people.
Lin’s article drew warm responses from dog lovers who sent their condolences and praised the bravery of Ahbao. Some comforted Lin saying they were sure Ahbao’s soul will continue to guard her in return for her care during the past eight years.
[/quote]
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/tainan/2008/07/06/164167/Hero-dog.htm
Smart little fellow. Heard this breed is good to sense epileptic attacks, too. If someone is close, should get him a steak:
[quote][size=150]Trusty golden retriever saves master’s life in tribal village[/size]
The China Post news staff
Saturday, September 13, 2008
TAIPEI, Taiwan – A middle-aged woman from a remote aboriginal tribal village is currently under car
eful treatment at the Puli Christian Hospital, thanks to her loyal golden retriever.
Chen-Huang Tsun-mei, 52, lives alone with her pet dog, a golden retriever by the name of “Ah Bao,” meaning “treasure” or “precious one” in Chinese.
She had a stroke and lapsed into a coma Wednesday evening. Detecting something wrong with its master, Ah Bao rushed to the home of Gan Shiu-shiang, a next-door neighbor in the same village in Renai Township in central Nantou County.
Unable to talk, Ah Bao clutched Gan’s pant leg and wouldn’t let go. Alerted by the dog’s unusual behavior, Gan went to her neighbor’s home to take a look.
Finding her friend lying on the kitchen floor, she immediately dialed “119” for emergency help. A rescue team swiftly took Chen-Huan to the Puli Christian Hospital.
Doctors said Chen-Huang had a stroke with internal bleeding. They kept her in the emergency care unit for close observation.
Chen-Huang is a widow with three sons who are all presently in the military service, according to Gan. One of them bought the mother a pet for company more than one year ago. Ah Bao has since followed her everywhere.
Gan and local police officers praised Ah Bao as a smart and heroic dog. Except for enjoying the food provided by Gan and police, Ah Bao now spends most of time looking out the door to wait for its master’s return.
[/quote]
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national%20news/2008/09/13/174453/Trusty-golden.htm
hum… twice same name for these hero dogs (Ah Bao) with different meanings. (or was it the same who came back after being killed in July 
?)
For sure they are men’s best friend 
Well, names for dogs here in Taiwan are not very… creative.
It’s ABao, AHong, XiaoBai, XiaoHei…
My neighbors’ cat is A-Miaw. (We should sue for this cruelty)
I told the vet: my dog’s name is Toto, but his original name is ChowChow (Ball-ball). He said: I’ll write Toto, we already have 3 Maltese inside and they are all Chowchow.
Thisdoggie followed his training to the T:
[quote]“Man’s best friend” doesn’t go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner’s life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure.
And it’s not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.
On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help.
Police were sent to Stalnaker’s home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Clark said. “Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven’t heard of anything like this.”
Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker’s address was flagged in Scottsdale’s system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated.
Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms. Buddy, now 18 months old, is able press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said.
Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.
[/quote]
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26706278