Canine hero "Buddy" from Boyne City

BOYNE CITY — For Steve Edwards of Boyne City and his 1-year-old German shepherd, Buddy, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 was a night that neither of them will soon forget.

I was reading around 7 p.m. and Buddy was laying by my side, Edwards said. All of a sudden, he raised his head and went into the alert position. He then sat up and darted downstairs.

Edwards said that Buddy was downstairs where their wood burning furnace is for no longer than a minute or two before he ran back up to Edwards, put his paws on his lap, stood up and pushed his head into Edwards face.

I could smell smoke on his head and immediately knew that something was wrong, said Edwards. Ive raised shepherds for almost 30 years and because of my past experience, I knew that going anywhere near the woodstove was unusual behavior for this breed.

Edwards ran downstairs to discover flames shooting from metal stove pipe aperture that had become disconnected from the stove, the Edwards primary heat source.

Flames were shooting from the pipe and thankfully I was able to fix it in time, he said. If Buddy hadnt alerted me, the floor joist would have caught fire and the whole house would have gone up in flames in a matter of minutes.

Edwards said that fortunately both he and Buddy were home because the pipe could have disconnected at any time.

Because of Buddys quick response, he saved our home.

Marci Singer439-9348 - msinger@petoskeynews.com

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Dog
• fire
• hero
• Boyne City

[hantamthieu]

If I ever had a german shepherd, I may have to name him Buddy.  It seems any german sherpherd named Buddy can do some amazing deeds !

[joanz1583]

Just saw this on a link on face book...great story Mr. Edwards. Buddy's not only smart, he's beautiful.

[STHFGDBY]

What a beautiful dog..

[D123B123]

Steve and your family,

I LOVE GERMAN SHEPHERDS ALSO ! ! ! ! !

It is no surprise to me that your brilliant dog saved your lives.

[bruce77ch]

my weird humor...sung to danny boy

[bruce77ch]

oh buddy boy..... the pipes, the pipes are burning...

and you will see... it by the wooden joists

If you'll not come... and lift your paws beside me

then i'll be gone ...as gone as can be....

With a short cry.... you stood

there beside me

And i did smell...a breath of smoky air

oh come now go ...and please lead me down there....

oh...buddy boy.....oh buddy boy

i thank you...

[jairus1230]

Good boy buddy!