When Brian Myers first met Sadie, a six-year-old German Shepherd at a New Jersey shelter, he had no idea their bond would become a lifeline.
Sadie had been brought to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge just a month earlier, and she was struggling. Her loyalty and sharp intelligence were obvious, but she had a quite uneasy demeanor around men.
These protective instincts and nervousness had left Sadie overlooked by many. Heather Centrella, who manages the shelter, remembers how Sadie had seemed lost and unsure, sharing in an interview:
“[She was] a little standoffish when she first came and she wasn’t sure what was going on. She became a little bit shut down in the shelter, so we knew she was going to need an experienced home with someone who was patient.”
Sadie needed more than just a home – she needed someone who could see through her fears and give her the patience she deserved. That someone turned out to be Brian.
The moment Brian saw Sadie, he knew she was special. Despite knowing about her challenges with men, Brian felt an instant connection.
Recounting that fateful day, he shared:
“I sensed that she was a great dog and I decided to adopt her in the first 30 minutes. She jumped into my car and we’ve developed a strong bond.”
Brian was determined to give Sadie the second chance she needed. He worked with her through her trust issues, and the two became inseparable. Sadie, who’d once been scared and confused, had finally found her place. She was home.
But then, one night, while he and Sadie were alone, Brian suffered a stroke. As he collapsed, unable to move, Sadie’s instincts kicked in.
She licked his face, crying and refusing to let him lose consciousness. Sadie could tell something was wrong.
Brian was too weak to stand, but Sadie knew she had to help him. Without any training, she did the unthinkable.
As Brian grabbed onto her collar, she pulled with all her strength and dragged him across the room to his phone.
Thanks to Sadie’s bravery, Brian was able to call 911, as he explained:
“She knew that I was in trouble and was distressed. I took ahold of her collar and she knew to assist me in getting the help I needed. [She] began to pull with all of her strength. With her help, I was able to move across the floor to get my phone.”
Soon after, Brian was rushed to the hospital. He spent several weeks in treatment and rehab, slowly regaining his strength.
All the while, his thoughts never strayed far from Sadie. He missed her terribly and longed for the day they’d be reunited.
Meanwhile, Sadie stayed with Brian’s family. She cried for her beloved dad, missing him desperately. They tried FaceTiming, but Sadie didn’t quite understand why she couldn’t reach through the screen to her dad.
Just before his release, the long-awaited reunion finally came. The moment Sadie saw Brian, she jumped onto him and showered him with kisses.
Unable to contain her emotions, she seemed to say everything without words. Her eyes sparkled, her tail didn’t stop, and the connection they shared at that moment was undeniable.
The dog Brian had once saved had saved him right back, in such an incredible way!
Sadie had given Brian far more than just companionship – she’d become his lifeline in the darkest of moments, pulling him back from the brink when he needed her most.
In return, Brian knew he could never repay her fully, but he promised to love and care for her as deeply as she’d done for him.