An Adopted Shelter Dog Saved Her Owner From A House Fire

A nine-month-old pup in New Zealand named Hazel had been dumped by two previous owners and was living at a local rescue when her new owner decided to adopt her —and provide Hazel a forever home.

That decision changed both of their lives in a big way as Hazel, soon after moving in, saved the life of her sleeping owner during a devastating house fire.

The massive, fast-moving blaze broke out in the middle of the night, engulfing the home in flames before firefighters could even arrive. During the chaos, the quick-thinking Hazel gave her sleeping owner a sharp, well-placed bite to his arm, giving him just enough time to wake up and escape the burning building with only minor smoke inhalation.

Locals and rescue workers are celebrating Hazel for saving her owner. They pointed out that the shelter had originally posted an online ad calling Hazel a “genuine treasure” who just needed a chance. Clearly, with this rescue effort, Hazel proved them right in the most dramatic way possible.