Adding a new dog to the family can be a scary prospect. High food costs, veterinary expenses, and the pooch’s off-the-charts energy can make pet ownership quite a handful. Look no further than a family from Vancouver, Washington, for proof.
After adding a dog to their ranks, the family realized he required a little more work than they bargained for. But when the dog’s strange behavior clued them on to an impending disaster, they reconsidered what they’d previously thought of their pet…
Like so many kids before them, Andrew and Clara Davis wanted nothing more than to add a dog to the family. For them, a little extra responsibility was a fine price to pay for a pooch.
Victoria Vasilyeva Photography
Their parents, Nola and Richard, weren’t quite ready for a dog. That is until they heard about one recently put up for adoption named Patch, below.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
Richard recalled the day he and his wife brought Patch home: “We tricked the kids,” he said. “We had a dog hidden in the back seat and they couldn’t see it. They were looking in there going, ‘what is it?’”
When they finally saw the dog? “I just lost it and I started crying ’cause I was so excited,” little Clara Davis said, below. Andrew and Clara finally got their wish. They were elated.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
Patch, meanwhile, joined his new family as though he’d been a part of the Davis clan all along. He fit right in. The family noticed, though, that there was one thing Patch despised.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
“He did not like the water,” Andrew said. “He didn’t like going into the bathtub or in the bathroom or taking his baths.” But soon, water was the least of Patch’s worries.
As puppies are prone to do, Patch grew. And grew. And grew. As he continued to grow, Nola, below, started worrying. Just how big was this little dog going to get?
Titus Rivas / YouTube
“As Patch started to grow, we realized that maybe we had made a mistake,” Nola said. “He was gonna be a big dog and the house was an awful small house.” Andrew lamented the fact, too.
“We didn’t have a big yard,” he said. “We didn’t really have a place for Patch to stay.” So the Davis family discussed their options—some of which were heartbreaking.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
What if, Nola and Richard said, they gave Patch to another home? One that had enough space for the big pooch to run around and use his energy? A home fit for a canine king. But Andrew refused.
“I said ‘NO,’” Andrew said, below. “I said I would build a fence or something.” The young man’s dedication to the dog convinced Nola and Richard to wait a few days before making a final decision.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
Days later, however, on January 12, 1999, Nola relaxed in the bathtub with the radio turned up to full volume. She was home alone, so she jumped when Patch came running into the bathroom—his least favorite room in the house.
Even stranger, Patch ran into the room with a purpose: he sunk his teeth into Nola’s dangling arm! What the heck. Had the dog gotten wind of the family’s plan to kick him out?
Tijsch / Flickr
Soon, though, Nola realized Patch wasn’t biting her, but pulling her—he wanted to show her something. She stepped out of the tub, grabbed a robe, and prepared herself to throw Patch out. But then she saw smoke.
She opened the bathroom door and saw the house engulfed in flames. Worse, opening the door sucked the fire into the bathroom, setting that room ablaze, too. Patch and Nola were surrounded by fire.
Blinded by smoke, Patch led Nola through the burning home with the skill of a firefighter, turning every so often to make sure she was still following him. Finally, thanks to Patch, she made it to the front yard.
Not thinking clearly, Nola wanted to run back into the house to grab her car keys, but Patch blocked the way and pushed her away. He wasn’t going to let her face that danger! Seconds later, fire exploded from the windows.
Titus Rivas / YouTube
The fire, caused by an electrical short, burned everything the Davis family owned to ash. But not Nola, and certainly not Patch! And the dog knew he’d been the hero…
“He was walking with pride,” Clara said. “Like, ‘oh, I’m a good dog.’ He knew he did something, and every time you gave him a treat, he was like ‘I did this and now I get all the attention!’”
As to whether or not to give Patch away? Well Nola and Richard had an easy answer to that dilemma: the family bought a new home in Montana—one with a yard Patch could play in!
Titus Rivas / YouTube
When you check out the video below, you’ll see a fully grown Patch playing with the Davis family. Who knew heroes came in such cute packages?
For Patch’s heroism, the American Red Cross presented the pooch with top honors for heroes. And boy, did he deserve it!
Share Patch’s act of bravery with your friends below!