Bergen County Rescue Dog Sadie Credited With Saving Owner's Life

OAKLAND, NJ ­— A 6-year-old German shepherd that was recently given a second chance at finding a home has provided her new owner a second opportunity at living thanks to some quick thinking and the loyalty that some wondered was possible.

Sadie, who was brought to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge when her former owner moved, is being credited with saving the life of her new owner. After recently adopting Sadie, a New Jersey man identified by the rescue facility only as “Brian” suffered a stroke while at home alone last week.

After Brian collapsed, Sadie, who on her adoption bio was said to be nervous around people — especially men — licked Brian’s face to keep him awake. She then dragged him across the room to where his cell phone was located so Brian could call for medical attention, Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge officials wrote in a social media post on Tuesday.

“Sadie was the only reason that Brian was able to call for help,” the post reads.

Officials from the rescue said that despite Sadie’s nervousness being noted on her adoption bio, Brian felt a special bond with the dog and sensed Sadie's intelligence and the fierce loyalty that existed between himself and Sadie once he got her home.

As Brian is recovering at a local rehabilitation center, Sadie is staying with family. She even participates in FaceTime sessions with her owner until he is well enough to return home. Now, months after she had been labeled as a difficult match by the animal rescue, Sadie has found a home where she was meant to be, officials from the animal rescue center said.

And the adoption bio that helped Sadie find a home with Brian may have said it all: “As is common to her breed, she is loyal and loving with her chosen people.”

Now with a second chance at life, Brian is in 100 percent agreement. All thanks to Sadie.