'I called 911': 85-year-old homeowner saved by diligent doggo, 'Skye', who found him collapsed and unconscious while on a routine morning run

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 2, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

G'morning, animal fam. Our doggos have a sixth sense when it comes to sensing something is wrong. We're not just talking about their sense of smell, like when they can smell gas leaks and save their owners' lives. They can just feel when danger is around. Our doggo is pupticularly good at that, but then again, she also thinks everything is dangerous (she's a scaredy-cat living in a doggo's body). Not like the brave Belgian Malinois in the story below!

'Skye' was on a routine run with her pawrent in the morning, when she started to alert her owner at the end of the neighborhood. Malinois are known for being very alert and perceptive, so when one of them tries to tell you something, it's usually best that you listen. They followed her to a yard with the hose running and no one in sight. There was overflowing water everywhere. Upon further inspection, the pawrent found the homeowner unconscious on his front steps. They immediately called 911 and ended up saving his life!

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  • 01
    My malinois, Skye, and I didnt run last night- so we got up super early and ran this morning- before the brutal heat crept in.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10534853376
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  • 03
    We were coming up on mile 2 and coming out of the park and back into the neighborhood. As we turn into the neighborhood, we stay along the sidewalk and run along all the cul de sacs (any extra yardage i can squeeze out!) And as we run by th3 second house in this cul de sac- Skye alerts me.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 04
    Skye starts pulling towards the second house. I also notice there's water 3 feet deep in the front yard - and a hose just running... unusual... I also notice the screen door and front door are wide open. Also very unusual. There are tall hedges so i can't see the ground very well but I know to follow my dog when she is alerting me.
    via OldPresence5323

  • We understand that it's hot, but no amount of grass needs that much water. Not to mention that it's slightly wasteful, but we're glad that the two decided to go up and check what was happening. If you ever see that much water on our front yard, you know something is up with us as well!

  • 05
    Thank god I followed her because there was an elderly man laying face down on the front step- his feet were what was propping the doors open.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 06
    EE
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  • 07
    I called 911. I instantly squatted down next to the man-made Skye sit next to him- asked him questions. He was conscious but had laid there all night. He had come out to water his yard and fell and couldn't get up. No one saw him bc of the bushes and how he had fallen just behind the shrubs. He is 85.
    via OldPresence5323

  • Can you imagine being unconscious all night? That must be terrifying. Well, we guess being asleep is kind of like being unconscious, but we do that on purpose. We're pretty sure he didn't mean to be unconscious on his front steps with the hose still running.

  • 08
    EMS arrives and they ask if my dog is friendly. I say yes. They ask a ton of questions and then it took 8 firemen to get this fellow up off the ground (he is like 6'5"!) They checked his vitals and said everything looked ok but took him to the hospital to make sure he's ok. He did have scraps on his face.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 09
    After EMS had him secured in the ambulance- they came over to me to ask questions. And of course to pet Skye. They asked how I found him- and I said - I didn't. My dog did!
    via OldPresence5323
  • 10
    This pic of Skye was minutes before all that happened- we were just coming out of the park and I snapped her photo.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 11
    PHOENIX FIRE DEPARTMENT 42
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  • 12
    I love Skye. I've had lots of dogs before. But never have I ever had a dog like this! I am so grateful Skye was with me- my other dog would have not even noticed! He would have kept bopping along! Skye kept me calm and level headed. And she was a distraction. The man was asking about her while we waited for EMS- she kept him awake and talking.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 13
    I don't deserve this dog. I love this dog. Skye is an absolute rock star. She is my hero. And we managed to get a good run in! Adrenaline. Wow.
    via OldPresence5323
  • 14
    9:25 Home Today's Activity Phoenix Running 2.31 mi 36:18 15:44 /mi At a Glance 5Gill 47 هساله See All Heart Rate 90 BI d Pressure Take a blad pressure reading or enter one manually. Add a Reading 60 bpm Resting 000 Home Challenges Calendar News Feed More
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    Careful_Comedian_118 She identified a job that needed doing and completed it with excellence! Steaks for days
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  • 16
    jasminel96 He laid there all night but EMS said he looked okay? That's so scary! I'm so glad Skye and you found him. Give her a treat and belly rubs from me!
    via jasminel96
  • 17
    hmmisuckateverything It was meant to be that you ran this morning with Skye! She did her job well and you trusted her yall did a great job! treat yourself and her!!
    via hmmisuckateverything
  • 18
    krl1967 Amazing, thank you for sharing this story Give Skye a hug from me and what a good pup !! You also handled this entire emergency like a pro Go and treat yourselves to a wonderful meal and snuggle up tight tonight
    via krl1967
  • 19
    Possum JenkinsSoles This made me tear up, my grandpa lives alone and I often worry about him between visits if someone would know if he needed help. Falls are so dangerous for the elderly. I'm so glad you and Skye were there!
    via PossumJenkinsSoles
  • 20
    desertsnack This is amazing! Thank you for sharing. What a special dog! I wonder if she'll try pulling. toward that house in the future to check on him.
    via desertsnack
  • 21
    Positive-Dimension75 Wow, such a good dog! Please make friends with this man and check on him often. She's his guardian angel.
    via Positive-Dimension75
  • 22
    GeneParm You should submit this story to the "we rate dogs" Insta
    via GeneParm

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