Saint Bernard Sacrifices Self, Saves Family from Fire
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A family is mourning the loss of a hero after their loyal dog perished in the same fire she was determined to save them from.
About an hour after falling asleep On Jan. 17, Menash Petscher was awakened by his Saint Bernard Nana, who was frantically and persistently licking his face. Alarmed by her behavior, he got out of bed to check the house when he smelled smoke. He opened the bedroom door to find the house engulfed.
The family assembled quickly and evacuated the home, but when they had a moment to collect themselves, they noticed that Nana was missing. Menash said he was not going to let her die. He ran back into the home to save her.
“I was crawling on my stomach in the house, calling for Nana,” he said, but she didn’t come.
Blinded by smoke and flames, he was forced to retreat. Loyal to the end, Nana had followed her master upstairs as he ran from bedroom to bedroom to collect the children and evacuate them. She never made it out.
In honor of Nana’s heroism, the Chautauqua Children’s Safety Education Village held a special ceremony in her honor yesterday. Her family was presented with a plaque featuring a photo of Nana and the words A True Fire Hero.
“We consider her a fire hero just because of her instinct, and that she knew to wake the father, who was downstairs at the time,” said Terri Kindberg, the agency’s executive director.
But Petscher said he would give up everything he owns to have his dog back. He says she was a beloved family member who will forever be remembered as a hero.
“It’s weird to even be talking about her in the past tense,” he said. “These are the things you can’t get back.”
Bless her heart.
<3
Good girl ..RIP :’(
A hero indeed. RIP sweet girl.
Dogs have a loyal heart of gold, what a noble act from such a beautiful dog <3
<3 Truly unconditional love... <3 Just another reason why I love animals more than most humans...
animals are truly angels in disguise, God Bless her, may she rest in peace :’(
aww RIP!
Indeed, bless her heart for being so brave and loving.
Um anjo que voltou ao céu….
An angel comes back to heaven
God Bless Her. Sweet Angel…
One of my biggest fears.
God Bless her. My heart goes out to her family, how heartbroken they must be.
May she RIP. She is an angel. God bless her.
RIP Nana… This makes me cry not only for this family but because I know my dog would do the same thing.
Awww my condolences
the family would have done the same for her.. and she couldn’t have lived without them
Peace ..
Oh what a precious baby! RIP baby!
yep dogs do save lives!!
Such loyalty. Such goodness. Such humility. Such courage. I learn from dogs and cats everyday to become a better person.
my heart goes to you and your family
what a heart warming story….she is a true hero and angel.
Awww :’(
RIP beautiful lady
Heartbreaking
RIP Nana <3
sooo very sad,what a hero she was,R.I.P.SWEET ANGEL!!!
Hate it that she didn’t make it…..such a beauty whose heart was just as beautiful. Blessings to the family
Beautiful Girl Cross that Rainbow bridge and RIP
God bless that dog <3
So brave…so sad…
Always loyal and faithful even to the end..RIP Nana
OMG tears
<3 oh may she rest in peace! What a great dog!
Makes me sad
RIP sweet baby… you truly were an angel on earth. <3
OMG how SAD!!
Deepest sympathy to the family
Rest in peace nana
=C
dogs an surprise you!!!
So, so sad! :’-(
Angels come to us in all forms.
You did your job my friend… You will always be remembered !
This is so heartbreaking. Thank God she did save the family.
Oh sad. I’m so sorry. What an angel! RIP baby girl<3<3<3
So sad
Sometimes heaven needs a good helper like Nana.
<3
RIP Nana!! You are a wonderful dog!! How sad though she didn’t make it. Sorry for your loss!!
So sad that she lost her life, forever in our hearts
:’(
Heart breaking!!! UGH!
That’s wonderful they are Honoring her!! But also sad that she lost her life, what an AMAZING LOYAL and BRAVE DOG!!!!<3 RIP SWEET GIRL!!!
Great job by his daughter, RIP Sweet Nana. You are a HERO!
Muito triste. Não consegui segurar o choro… RIP Dear Nana! God bless you.
Cried my eyes out
<3
poor baby…unconditional love of an animal…
GOD BLESS YOU …..YOU REALLY ARE A SAINT NOW
i don’t get this…why on earth wouldn’t you be as concerned for the whereabout of your beloved dog as you would be your children…this makes NO SENSE TO ME…I DON’T BUY IT
You’re a complete scumbag. A heartless, thoughtless, and pathetic piece of trash. I pray you’re never have to go through what this family did. Clearly your brain wouldn’t function at a high enough level to even survive such an event.
That is heart wrenching
RIP Nana
These incredible furbabies never cease to be amazing.
RIP, you wonderful hero.
So sad. RIP, Nana. ♥
@deborah…I think are misunderstanding. It says the family were all gathered and that dog had followed him room through room. Once outside he went back in to look for her as she never made it out.
RIP NANA!
Deborah never read the story Melissa..obviously. Bless Nana’s heart …..shame she didn’t make it out.
:’( “sorry”
I believe dogs will do anything to save their masters and their pack, you were lucky to have such a loyal dog. RIP Nana
dogs are very intuitive….when im having a bad day mine just know, i can tell by the look in their eyes that they want to be near me to make me feel better…..too bad humans arent that intuitive
Awwwww
RILP Nana… <3 So sad for your loss.
Aww…
What a hero! RIP
;-(
Bless the beasts and the children….
Bless this special doggie!
Bless her xx
That breaks my heart. Makes me so very sad.
RIP sweet Nana. You are a true hero.
so sad
A sad but happy ending…. (don’t even think about it Bob!)
beautiful story.
Once in a lifetime meeting be happy you met Nana !!!!
God bless dear Nana.
NICE BUT SAD STORY
Heroic dog Nana but such a sad ending xoxoxo
so sorry but she was a true hero bless u guys
So sad!
My heart goes out to the family. Rest in peace Nana – there is a special place in heaven for a dog like you.
so sad. RIP Nana.
To those of you with the negative ass comments should really put yourself in his shoes.
She WOKE him up, she FOLLOWED him room to room…..
He didn’t forget her, he thought she was behind him, and then rushed inside to try and save her….
My heart breaks for this family, they lost their home, they lost a family member and all you seem to be able to do is judge.
Makes me ashamed to be part of the same species…..
All creatures have a bit of compassion. Especially a family member. RIP Nana
God Bless you all……….. RIP girl
And just another reason i love these animals! I truely have the most rambunctious, crazy,A.d.d. chocolate lab EVER… he gets into trouble once in awhile but i wouldnt trade him for ANYTHING! I hope she crossed the rainbow bridge safely.