Badger, a 2015 Purina Hall of Fame inductee, has been making headlines again on social media. The heroic Labrador/Rottweiler mix was an abandoned puppy who was rescued by Derik Hodgson, an Elgin, Ontario resident.
Over fifteen years ago, Derik rescued Badger from the woods of Ontario, Canada. The retired photographer was living alone in a cabin in a remote part of Elgin, Ontario. The loyal Labrador not only became Derik’s best friend; he also saved the 71-year-old man’s life.
On a frigid February day, Derik noticed a few eagles flying above the frozen lake by his house and decided to walk to it and take some photographs. Derik was worried the eagles might leave, so he hastily set out without his jacket or phone. Once Derik and Badger reached the lake, Derik started walking on it to capture the eagles. He suddenly slipped on the ice and fell.
Derik fell with such force; he broke his leg in two different places. Unable to stand, he ran the risk of freezing quickly in the frigid weather. Badger sensed something was terribly wrong and began to circle Derik. The Labrador started nudging his owner and barking loudly. Derik wasn’t moving and was beginning to lose consciousness.
Before Derik lost consciousness, he caught a glimpse of Badger’s collar. Derik reached up and grabbed onto it, yelling out the word “mush.” Badger immediately understood what the word meant, and started pulling Derik from the frozen lake. The Labrador continued to drag Derik, up an incline and a quarter of a mile back to the cabin. Once inside the cabin, Derik could call for an ambulance from his mobile phone.
Derik was hospitalized and spent several weeks recovering from his accident. If it weren’t for the heroic efforts of Badger, Derik faced certain death. Check out a video on Derik and Badger below:
Credits: Purina Canada YouTube
