Hero dog gets in the way of oncoming traffic, refuses to move — police then found out what was wrong

Gita, a 13-year-old rescue dog, put herself in the middle of the main road, bang in the center of oncoming traffic. In Washington State, a police car was patrolling a rural, wooded area in Stevens County when, out of nowhere, the driver spotted a dog in their path. As most people would do, Deputy Colton Wright got out of his car and coaxed the dog to budge from her spot. She was adamant.

Assuming the dog was missing, Deputy Wright looked around, scanning for inhabited homes or people roaming outside, but there were none to be found. In a seemingly deserted area like this, the dog’s behavior signaled something gravely wrong. A later statement from the Sheriff’s office read, “Sensing something amiss, Wright went back to the dog [who] was now lying on the centerline.” The deputy quickly realized that Gita’s adamant behavior must mean something serious. He labored to rally her into the police car, hoping to drive around and find her owner(s).

Instead of complying with the officer, Gita got up and bounded down a steep, unmarked roadway. Overgrown hedges, branches sticking out, no stable pathway — these pointed to the untravelled, almost undiscovered nature of the path they were descending. Gradually, as they drew closer to an opening in the woods, Deputy Wright spotted a summer cabin. Gita ran into the property, prompting the police to follow. As they began their search of the area, it wasn’t long before they could hear a feeble cry for help. Soon, they encountered an old man lying helpless on the ground outside.

The 84-year-old’s leg had been injured during the fall, which made him unable to get up on his own. When Keith Johnson woke up that morning, the elderly man had experienced a sugar fall. Deciding to go into the kitchen for some food, Johnson thought he’d first attend to the dog, who wanted to be let out. Gita, being in an adventurous mood, pounded into the woods. Johnson followed for some 20 to 30 feet before he collapsed under a wave of dizziness. The impact also broke his hip. Lying in such a secluded area, overcome by agonizing pain, Johnson had tried calling for help.

Initially, there was hope. As more hours elapsed, he resigned himself to his fate, almost sure that no one would find him. When Deputy Wright finally arrived, Johnson had been calling for help for over 6 hours. Given his age, the seriousness of his injuries, and the multiple medications he was regularly on, Johnson would not have survived much longer in the woods. In the notice issued soon after, the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office also noted, “We credit Gita for saving his life that day. The loyalty and heroism of our furry friends never cease to amaze us.”

The best highlight of it all is the heartwarming comment Gita's vet left below the Sheriff's post:

It seems like Gita has always been both a "good girl" and a "true hero." Our furry companions bring superpowers with them. Sensing our emotions, calculating dangers in any area, and helping us regulate ourselves and our illnesses — dogs truly make for the most selfless best friends.