Star Spangled Heroes – Share your story and
win!

Fearless acts of bravery. Profound loyalty.
Unconditional love.

Whether it’s going into harms way to protect a loved
one or staying by their side through rough times, dogs
do amazing things. They are extraordinarily unselfish
beings. And sometimes, their acts are nothing less
than heroic.

We created this space to honor those dogs who have
shown their courage and loyalty to others whether that
be humans or fellow animals.  Is your dog a hero?  
Send us your story and your dog will become part of
the Star Spangled Heroes Dog Hall of Fame!  Read
Star Spangled Heroes stories here.


Share your story with us and WIN Star Spangled
Pet Treats!

We’ll hold a monthly drawing of all those who have
submitted a Star Spangled Hero story!  Winners will
receive 3 bags of Star Spangled Pet Treats and a
certificate for entry into the Star Spangled Heroes
Dog Hall of Fame. Our winner will also get to decide
where we will make our monthly Hero Dog Donation!  
Just select from our list of worthy organizations, and
Star Spangled Pet Treats will make a donation for the
month. We have partnered with several organizations
that honor our canine heroes.  Read more about the
nonprofit organizations we have partnered with here.

To enter your story, please email:
lisa@bowwowgifts.com.

Please also send a photo of you and your dog.

Only your first name, your dog’s name and your
city/state will be listed to identify you. Please limit
your story to 500 words if possible.  By sending in
your story, you are granting permission to have your
story and photo(s) posted on our website.

Thank you for sharing with us!
ONE MAN'S SPECIAL
TRIBUTE TO A DOG

The one absolutely unselfish
friend that
a man can have in this selfish
world,
the one that never deserts him,
the one that never proves
ungrateful
or treacherous, is his dog.
A man's dog stands by him in
prosperity
and in poverty,
in health and in sickness.
He will sleep on the cold ground
where
the wintery winds blow,
and the snow drives fiercely,
if only he may be near his
master's side.
He will kiss the hand that has no
food to offer, he will lick the sores
and wounds that come in
encounter with
the roughness of the world.
He guards
the sleep of his Pauper master
as if he
were a prince.
When all other friends desert,
he remains.
When riches take wings and
reputation
falls to pieces,
he is as constant in
his love as the sun in it's journey
through the heavens.
If misfortune drives the master
forth
an outcast in the world,
friendless and homeless,
the faithful dog asks
no higher privilege than that of
accompanying him to guard
against danger,
to fight against his enemies.
And when the last scene of all
comes,
and death takes the master in it's
embrace, and his body is laid
away in the cold ground,
no matter if all other
friends pursue their way,
there by the
graveside will the noble dog be
found,
his head between his paws,
his eyes sad,
but open in alert watchfulness,
faithful and true, even in death.

-From a speech given by
Former Senator
George Graham Vest
of Missouri. Delivered in 1870
when he was acting as a lawyer
in a suit against
a man who had killed
the dog of his client.
-- He won the case.
Star Spangled Heroes – Hall of Fame

Star Spangled Heroes Dog Hall of Fame
Honoring dogs who have displayed
incredible bravery and loyalty
Star Spangled Hero Dog Stories
 
BALTO
Nome, Alaska
January, 1925
We must pay homage to the amazing story of Balto, the Alaskan sled
dog who is credited with saving the children of Nome, Alaska. In the
winter of 1925, children in Nome began showing symptoms of
diphtheria, a fatal and highly contagious disease. Several children
died and the disease spread. Tragically, the city ran out of the anti-toxin
diphtheria treatment and the nearest supply of it was nearly 1,000 miles
away.

Officials scrambled to find a way to get the life-saving drugs to Nome
Click here to read more of Balto's amazing story:
 
Becky Andrews with
guide dogs Pantera
and Cricket August
2009 winner
The first picture is me with my first guide - Pantera at her puppy raiser's
wedding - a very special day!  The second picture is another VERY
special night ... it was the night before we knew Pantera would need
to be 'put down'.  She had brain cancer and was in pain - it was time to
say good bye ... She died with grace and dignity and as you can see she
stepped back and let Cricket be by my side.  Oh I love these dogs!  
I cannot listen to Josh Groban’s song: You raise me up without tears
in my eyes …
To me this explains the partnership of my guide dogs (my heroes) …
first Pantera and now Cricket.   When I began to lose my eyesight to
Retinitis Pigmentosa, I was scared.  I certainly didn’t picture myself
where I am today with my guide dog Cricket by my side– walking
confidently to the
front of an auditorium to give a presentation, flying independently to
various parts of the country, being a successful business owner, and
simply loving and enjoying life with family and friends.

Thanks in large part to my guide dog,  I enjoy life in all aspects – as they
have ‘raised me up’ to believe in myself – I feel like I can conquer so
much!   I pick up the harness and we GO!  

Pantera, my first guide, was such a gift and worked for 9 years.  She
brought so much joy and was so proud of her job as a guide dog.  S
he helped ease the adjustment of being a person who is blind as I
couldn’t help but hold my head high as she did.  She was truly a
dog of honor and lived this part as she was the dog of honor and I
the matron of honor at her puppy raiser’s wedding.  

Cricket, my second guide, has brought such love, joy and balance
into my life.  With a busy therapy practice, she is empathetic and reminds
me to take breaks and enjoy life.  

After walking with a guide dog for 12 years, I still find myself each
day grateful for this gift of freedom, love and independence in my life.  
These guides are my heroes and an example to me to live life with the
purpose of love and serving others.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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