Dog guards injured friend until help arrives 

 by  AMY GATLEY

 Gate City- Dogs are known for their loyalty as man's best friend. But sometimes a dog can be a dog's best friend. Time-News photographer Terry Ketron was driving north along U.S. Route 23 near Gate City Wednesday afternoon when he spotted two dogs lying in the median. The dogs looked distressed, and Ketron pulled over to check on the animals--a large brown chow and small mixed breed.  As Ketron cautiously approached, he said the chow stood up and walked to him. "When it thought I was no threat, it started whining  to me and barking to me and indicating to me by stepping out into the road to come over to the median. It wanted me to come over to check on the little dog," Ketron said.

"When the traffic cleared, it led me across the road, and the little dog raised its head and looked at me, and it couldn't move," Ketron said.  "The big dog barked at the other dog, and it still couldn't move.  I realized that the little dog had been hit, and the big dog was staying with it."  Ketron used his cellular phone to call Scott County Dispatch. The animal warden, Jim Benton, arrived about five minutes later.  Benton petted the dogs and talked to them to gain their trust.  The injured dog lay quietly on the ground with a frightened look, Ketron said. The chow patiently waited while the warden picked up his injured friend and put him in a cage.  "He picked it up and laid the dog in the cage and gave it a piece of bologna, which it promptly ate.  The big dog put his paws up on the tailgate and whined," Ketron said.  Once Benton had cajoled the chow into getting up in the truck, the chow checked on his mate by sniffing the cage. Benton was then able to get the chow into the cage as well.  

Benton took the injured dog to Valley View Animal Hospital in Gate City, where she was treated.  Benton said the dog may have a broken pelvis and could be euthanized if the injury is not treatable.  For now, the fate of the two furry friends is unknown. Even if the dog's injuries are treated, both animals could be euthanized if their owners don't claim them or if someone doesn't adopt them.  "The chow, which has a collar with no identification on it, is in the pound," Benton said.  I'll hold that dog for 12 days unless someone claims the dog. (The veterinarian) said he may be able to find the injured dog a home if she lives or if we don't have to put her down if her pelvis is broke. If she lives and he can't find her a home, she'll come to me and we'll hold her seven days."  

Ketron said he hopes this dog's tale will have a happy ending. "It is unusual. You don't ususally see dogs lying in the median of a four-lane highway, and i knew something was probably wrong with one or the other.  When I saw this dog staying with his buddy, I knew I had to help it.  Friendship like that is hard to find," Ketron said.

2001 Times-News. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, rewritten or redistributed.  Published March 7, 2001