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Golden Retriever Wins 49th Dog Hero of the Year Award
Golden Retriever Wins 49th Dog Hero of the Year Award
A family pooch from New York takes top honors from Kibbles
'N Bits as the most courageous dog.
by Steve Johnson, staff
July 28, 2004
Del Monte Foods, the maker of Kibbles 'N Bits, has announced
the winner of the 49th annual "Dog Hero of the Year"
award. This year's title goes to Sundance, a golden retriever
from New York.
Sundance's story, as published by Del Monte Foods:
It was a warm, sunny August afternoon and Michelle Passalacqua
of Farmingville, NY, ran inside her kitchen to pour her
two daughters, Kaila (7) and Sara (3), a drink for their
backyard picnic. Kaila followed her mother inside to help,
leaving Sara to play in their new toy ball pit. Seconds
later, Passalacqua heard a scream and then crying. She ran
outside and found their pet Golden Retriever, Sundance,
barking at a large, strange-looking snake dead on the ground
and Sara crying on top of the picnic table.
Passalacqua quickly checked her daughter for bites, but
found nothing. Sundance had saved the day. The large, eight-foot
snake - a ball python - had made the Passalacqua's ball
pit its home and when Sara jumped in, it became agitated
and started to slither toward her. Sundance, recognizing
the danger, began to bark loudly at the reptile and eventually
killed it to protect his young owner.
"When I heard that Sunny had won the Dog Hero of the Year
Award, I almost broke into tears," said Passalacqua. "Sundance
needs an operation to remove a few tumors from the back
of his shoulders and we didn't have enough money to schedule
the surgery. Now, we are going to use the prize money for
his operation. He has done so much for us, now it's our
turn to help him."
For his act of bravery, Del Monte Foods has rewarded Sundance
with:
- One year's supply of Kibbles 'n Bits dog food;
- $500 cash;
- $100 grooming gift certificate; and a
- Specially engraved Dog Hero food bowl.
The Dog Hero of the Year Award has been recognizing dogs
for their acts of bravery since 1954. "Kibbles 'n Bits brand
is proud to sponsor the Dog Hero of the Year Award and showcase
the extraordinary and heroic acts dogs perform everyday,"
said Krista Sahnd, senior brand manager of Del Monte Pet Products.
"This award spotlights the unique and special relationship
between owners and their dogs."
The first ever winner of the award went to Tang, a Collie
from Denison, TX, who saved children from severe harm or death
on five separate occasions. To view previous award winners,
or to nominate a dog hero, visit: www.delmontedoghero.com
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