Labrador Retriever Saves Drowning Toddler

by
posted on July 2, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (16)

Patricia Drauch entered her garage assuming that, as always, her 14-month old son, Stanley, was close behind.

"He always follows me into the garage, he likes to play on the lawn mower," she explained.

But on this occasion, Stanley had quietly wandered off, and the result was nearly deadly. When Drauch realized Stanley was not by her side, she rushed around the house, terrified, searching for her son. To her horror, she spotted Stanley floating face up in the pool—Bear, the family's black Lab, was swimming with the boy on his back, apparently in an effort to keep the boy afloat and allow him to breath.

"We all believe that if it wasn’t for Bear, he would have sunk down," Drauch said, adding that without Bear she may never have spotted Stanley in the pool. "It was incredible to see Bear holding him up like that."

But despite Bear's efforts, Stanley was unresponsive. Drauch carried him to her car and hurried down the road to a nearby fire department for help. Along the way, Stanley regained consciousness. He's expected to make a full recovery.

Drauch says Bear has kept an especially close eye on her children following the incident. However, perhaps he was just following orders when he committed his heroic act.

"I’ve always told him that these are his babies and he has to watch over them," Drauch said.

Well done, Bear.

Latest

Fenson Braised Coues Deer (5)
Fenson Braised Coues Deer (5)

Recipe: Braised Coues Deer Hind

An adventurous January hunt into the Sierra Madre Mountains of northern Mexico provided Brad Fenson the opportunity to cook Coues deer in traditional ways.

Friends of American Hunter Chad and Marsha Schearer Headline GAOS Seminars

The NRA Great American Outdoor Show Runs Feb. 7-15 and includes 200 demonstrations and seminars.

Significant Donation Will Cover Entry Fees for Boone and Crockett Club Records Program

On Jan. 21 the Boone and Crockett Club announced a long-time Lifetime Associate and benefactor to conservation has provided the opportunity to waive entry processing fees into the organization’s records program. As a result, the usual $40 entry fee will not be charged this year for entries received after Jan. 1, 2026.

Avian-X Adds 3 New Species to Motion Decoys

Avian-X has expanded its motion duck decoy assortment with the addition of three new species to the Power Butt Kicker lineup: Mallard Hen, Pintail Drake and Black Duck.

World’s Largest Gathering of Outdoor Enthusiasts Begins Saturday

More than 200,000 hunters, shooters, anglers, RVers and virtually every other flavor of outdoor enthusiast will attend NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show (GAOS). It opens Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., and is the place to be if you want to see your favorite pursuit’s latest and greatest, book a trip and more.

Year-Round Gear Care

Every fall season I hear one or two horror stories involving equipment failures in the field. All too often these stories include personal injuries. Let's take a few minutes to help you avoid such costly circumstances.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.