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On the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we remember not only the horrific loss of lives, but the people who so heroically fought to save lives, and even souls. This year, however, on the 23rd anniversary, we thought we’d pay tribute to the incredible guide dogs who led their owners to safety.
Roselle was just a three-year-old pup when she went above and beyond her training on the day the plane crashed into Tower One at The World Trade Center.
The golden Labrador had been introduced to sales director Michael Hingson, who’d been blind since he was born, just two years before. As per any other normal day, she dutifully accompanied her owner to work on the 78th floor of Tower One at The World Trade Center and sat under his desk for a nap.
Getting to safety
It’s impossible to imagine the pandemonium and terror that must have been felt when the plane crashed into the building 18 floors above. However, after Hingson ensured his colleagues had managed to leave the floor, Roselle stepped in to lead her owner down the 78 flights of stairs to safety.
Roselle had to contend with all the debris, smoke, and frantic office workers as she navigated Hingson down the emergency stairs, a total of 1,463 steps. She did not falter. Thanks to her calm demeanor she was able to guide others to safety, too, comforting them along the way.
As the pair exited the building, Tower 2, which had been struck by this point, was collapsing. Despite being hit by falling debris, Roselle managed to get Hingson to safe shelter in a subway station, before guiding him 40 blocks to a friend’s apartment.
As MSBNC shared, Hingson later explained:
While everyone ran in panic, Roselle remained totally focused on her job, while debris fell around us, and even hit us, Roselle stayed calm.”
After the attacks, Roselle received various awards for her incredible bravery, while her owner left sales and went to work for Guide Dogs for the Blind as a public affairs director. The pair continued life together until Roselle was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and died in 2011.
The story of Roselle and Salty — another Labrador who led his owner Omar Rivera to safety on that fateful day — and the multiple rescue dogs who tried to find survivors, serve to remind us not just how faithful and brave dogs can be, but how in the worst of times God sends help in the most unexpected ways.
And today we celebrate...