Shih Tzu Saves Owner From Deadly Tsunami

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, a 12-year-old dog named Babu has been credited with saving the life of her 83-year-old master:

“We need to evacuate,” Akanuma recalled thinking.

As soon as she opened the door, Babu frantically ran outside and headed toward a nearby hill–the opposite direction they usually go for a walk.

When Akanuma’s pace slackened, Babu would look back, seemingly urging her owner to walk faster. When Akanuma caught up, Babu would bound ahead again, straining at her leash.

This game of hurry-up-and-catch-me continued over and over. When Akanuma finally took a breather, she had climbed the hill where an evacuation center is located about one kilometer from her home.

Turning around, Akanuma could barely believe her eyes: Most of the route she and Babu had walked had been swallowed up by the tsunami and her home had been consumed by the wall of muddy water.

Akanuma believes her pooch could tell something was wrong that day.

For a larger photo of Babu, check the Yomiuri’s Japanese language article.

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