Paralyzed and alone in the bathroom, he thought it was the end — but his German Shepherd's quick-thinking saved his life

Dogs have always been man’s best companion, but some extraordinary pets come into people’s lives as saving angels in times of crisis. Sadie, a German Shepherd, saved her owner's life by licking his face and comforting him after he suffered a stroke. The survivor, Brian Myers, admits that he gets emotional when he talks about this story.

According to CBS News, Myers was sleeping and had woken up to use the bathroom when he fell to the floor and hit the ground. "As soon as I stepped on the floor, I went down and hit the ground. I couldn't get back up," he recalled. Myers was saved from a stroke by Sadie, as she immediately came by his side to comfort him. She licked his face to keep him awake and helped him grab her collar while she pulled her weight backwards, sliding him across the floor.

He revealed that he "would probably still be lying [sic]," if it weren't for Sadie's quick thinking. Thanks to Sadie, who helped him reach his cell phone, Myers was able to call 911 and was quickly taken to rehab after suffering a stroke. He revealed he had mild paralysis on the left side of his body and was having difficulty speaking. But he has been showing signs of improvement. "Last week, I wasn't able to use my fingers, and now I can open my full hand," Myers said.

Expressing his gratitude for having Sadie by his side during the crisis, Myers revealed that she wanted to return the favor after being rescued from an animal rescue earlier. "I love her more than I can express. She was there for me in my time of crisis, and she knew instinctively what to do somehow," he said. For Sadie, who hasn't been able to meet her beloved owner since his rehab, has never missed a day of meeting him on FaceTime, as she was taken in by Myers' brother during his treatment.

Six-year-old Sadie was confused upon her rescue and was protective of new people, according to a Facebook post by Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, from whom Myers adopted Sadie. She is described as a loyal but nervous dog. However, despite being nervous around men, she bonded with Myers when they first met, and in no time, she became part of his life. As for Myers, he considers rescuing a dog the "greatest thing you could do."
According to the National Library of Medicine, a 2021 study explored the remarkable abilities of medical alert dogs. The study found that these dogs could detect up to 33 different health conditions, including diabetes-related hypoglycemia, seizures, and cardiac episodes. Nearly half of the dogs displayed multiple capabilities and showcased an impressive capacity to generalize and respond to various physiological changes in their owners. The findings highlight the potential of dogs, whether formally trained or naturally perceptive, to play a critical role in detecting and preventing medical emergencies. Myers, who missed his beloved dog every day during the rehab, expressed his wish to give his loyal dog a tight hug when they have an emotional reunion.