It’s like something out of a movie, or more appropriately, a TV show. In New Hampshire, a dog is being credited with saving the lives of its owners. It’s not as simple as that, though.
Officers were called to the interstate after sightings of a dog getting a little too close for comfort. Reports stated that a Shiloh Shepherd had been seen wandering dangerously close to the road, an action that proves fatal for dogs all too often. Naturally, concerned passersby wanted to see the dog safe, so local law enforcement officers were contacted.
The section of interstate the shepherd had been seen on was I-89, specifically on a section that connects New Hampshire and Vermont. Witnesses had seen the dog on an embanked stretch, where officers soon arrived.
Upon arrival, officers of the Lebanon Police Department, as well as State Troopers, did what they could to try and corral the pup without anyone getting hurt. No matter what they did, though, they were unable to catch the pup, it kept escaping their grasp. With each lunge, the dog would back away further, narrowly avoiding capture.
It was as if the dog was playing games with them, or trying to get their attention. That’s exactly what this Shiloh Shepherd was doing.
Tinsley, the Shiloh Shepherd in question, was doing everything in her power to get the officers help. As she led the officers on a chase, they soon found themselves at a damaged section of guardrail. The damage wasn’t old, though. In fact, it was quite fresh.
Officers approached the scene, understanding immediately that they were looking at the site of a recent crash. As they investigated the guardrail, Tinsley ran past it, drawing their attention to an overturned pickup truck. That wasn’t the only thing that they found, though. The passengers of the pickup truck had been ejected from the vehicle, and they were injured.
On the scene was Trooper Sandberg, one of the State Troopers assigned with corralling Tinsley. He and the Lebanon Police Officers called for medical assistance immediately, then went to assist the passengers to the best of their ability as they waited. Both men were suffering from hypothermia, and it was at that point that the connection was clear. Tinsley belonged to one of the men, and was retrieving help for her owner.
In a statement by New Hampshire State Police Lt. Dan Baldassarre, he explained, “This was almost like a real-life Lassie situation. It’s really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives. I don’t think they would have survived the night given the temperatures.”
Tinsley’s owner, Cam Laundry, is repaying Tinsley with plenty of venison and affection. He also gave a statement, “She’s my little guardian angel. It’s a miracle that she had that kind of intelligence to do what she did.”
Dogs are often called man’s best friend. We love to give them the love that they deserve, and in return, they’re capable of doing remarkable things. When you bring a dog into your pack, you earn a protective friend for life. There have been countless stories of dogs going to great lengths to protect their owners, as well as find help for them when they need it.
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It’s stories like these that reaffirm why we keep our canine companions around. Lassie may have been a TV show that seemed impossible, but there are plenty of real-life examples, like Tinsley, to remind us that we’re in good company.
