The Lassie complex: why are we so obsessed with dogs saving human lives?

The Lassie complex: why are we so obsessed with dogs saving human lives?

Most recently, it was when a woman who was attacked by a cougar while out hiking in California was saved by her “amazing and loyal ” Belgian malinois, Eva. The story made headlines around the world, but drill down a little and you’ll discover that the dog, which weighs around 25kg, hit the cougar but was very quickly outclassed by the giant cat.

Dying dog with cancer treated to favourite human foods by heartbroken owner on final day

Dying dog with cancer treated to favourite human foods by heartbroken owner on final day

A dying dog with cancer was treated to his favourite human foods on his final days by his owner (Image: Calah Rose)She said: "When I was expecting my children, he guarded my belly from anyone who thought to get too close.

Dog saves owner’s life by alerting her to breast cancer lump

Dog saves owner’s life by alerting her to breast cancer lump

Karena Kirk-Drain, 53, says she wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for her 11-year-old Bella-Boo. The protective pet began acting up on Karena’s late mum’s birthday and kept trying to lie on her chest despite being pushed away.

Vets want to help your pet – and you – but death threats aren’t good for anyone’s health

Vets want to help your pet – and you – but death threats aren’t good for anyone’s health

Your dog doesn’t know they have cancer and we’re having difficult conversations about surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, palliative care.Although we dwell on the difficult clients, I know that most appreciate the care we give them and their pets.

Adorable dog saved from cancer thanks to nose amputation

Adorable dog saved from cancer thanks to nose amputation

Oh buddy (Picture: SWNS)This is Yogi, a Border Terrier who’s had to have his nose removed to save his life from a rare form of soft-tissue cancer.

Fran Drescher shares why every human needs a pet

Fran Drescher shares why every human needs a pet

Fran Drescher is a proud member of camp “must love dogs.”.Chester passed away 22 years ago, and since then Drescher has adopted a new furry friend.“I have a dog now, Angel Grace, and I rescued her just days before lockdown.

See the heartbreaking end-of-life pet photos this woman shoots for free

See the heartbreaking end-of-life pet photos this woman shoots for free

Shane Riska and her beloved 13-year-old Labrador retriever, Maizie, met up with Earhart last month at their favorite park on a snowy day.“It’s the place where Maizie and I spent a lot of time together walking, kayaking and watching sunsets,” Riska said.

Woman says three-legged rescue dog ‘saved her’ back by finding aggressive cancer

Woman says three-legged rescue dog ‘saved her’ back by finding aggressive cancer

Karen said: ‘I’m so lucky to have such a clever pup’ (Picture: Karen Ethier / SWNS) Karen and Louie (Picture: Karen Ethier / SWNS)‘He went straight to the vet for surgery,’ she remembered.

Woman left with toothless smile after cocker spaniel eats her dentures

Woman left with toothless smile after cocker spaniel eats her dentures

Jayne Haggett, 54, has managed to forgive her cheeky one-year-old cocker spaniel, Barney (Picture: Media Wales)We’ve all heard the one about the dog eating the homework – but what about when the cocker spaniel goes for your false teeth?

Hairdresser says chihuahua saved her life after dog detected stage three cancer

Hairdresser says chihuahua saved her life after dog detected stage three cancer

Tess said: ‘I’m going to fight it all the way because I’ve got so much I want to do (Picture: North News and Pictures)‘I’m not the kind of person to cry about it.

Brazen thief caught on CCTV stealing dog of cancer sufferer outside newsagents

Brazen thief caught on CCTV stealing dog of cancer sufferer outside newsagents

The woman had only popped into the shops for a minute (Picture: MEN)Due to his owner’s condition, the search for Jack is being coordinated by volunteer network DogLost, who say that the brazen theft, on March 11, is ‘one of the worst’ they’ve seen.

Put your lockdown walking to good use and help fight cancer

Put your lockdown walking to good use and help fight cancer

There’s no doubt that MDD’s work does saves lives, so why not consider all your lockdown walking as training in progress and sign up (details above) to help raise money and be a part of the amazing difference they make.

Metro.co.uk Lifeline: Meet the dogs saving lives just by their sniff

Metro.co.uk Lifeline: Meet the dogs saving lives just by their sniff

Like any charity, Medical Detection Dogs rely on donations to keep doing their lifesaving work, which is why we’re raising much-needed money for them – but we need your help to do it!

Alexandra Burke on how medical detection dogs could have helped her mum

Alexandra Burke on how medical detection dogs could have helped her mum

As a dog lover it means so much to me that these amazing animals can do extraordinary things (Picture: Alexandra Burke)This campaign is also very close to my heart because as well as the diabetes connection, I have also lost people in my life to cancer.

Dr Christian: ‘Detection dogs could be vital in our fight against Covid’

Dr Christian: ‘Detection dogs could be vital in our fight against Covid’

‘If you think of the bigger picture with the pandemic, these dogs could be a real game-changer.’ (Picture: MDD)As I watched them work, it just seemed like such an obvious thing to do.

I know a dog’s sense of smell can save a life because it happened to me

I know a dog’s sense of smell can save a life because it happened to me

Our idea was that if we could train dogs to sniff out diseases by learning how they smelt, they not only could help with early detection, but also support people who lived with certain illnesses, such as nut allergies and Type 1 diabetes, and let them know if their health was in danger.

Dogs trained to sniff out prostate cancer lend helping paw to crucial research

Dogs trained to sniff out prostate cancer lend helping paw to crucial research

The results may lead to a larger study for further investigation (MDD / Neil Pollock)Dr. Claire Guest, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Medical Detection Dogs and the lead author on the study, said, ‘This study showed that a dog’s nose could hold the key to an urgently needed, more accurate, and non-invasive method of early prostate cancer diagnosis.

Miley Cyrus opens up about ‘heartache’ over her dog Mary Jane’s death

Miley Cyrus opens up about ‘heartache’ over her dog Mary Jane’s death

The 28-year-old posted a clip featuring pictures of her dog and an unreleased song called MARY JANE 5EVR, which she said she wrote "years ago".

‘Covid-19 has an odour, and the dogs are detecting it’: meet the canine super-squad sniffing out the virus

‘Covid-19 has an odour, and the dogs are detecting it’: meet the canine super-squad sniffing out the virus

Recently, she’s worked alongside Professors James Logan at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Steve Lindsay of the department of biosciences at Durham University, among others, on a successful project to train dogs to identify malaria.

Owner's heartbreaking obituary for golden retriever sweeps internet

Owner's heartbreaking obituary for golden retriever sweeps internet

Sallie Gregory Hammet wrote an obituary for her golden retriever Charlie after he passed away from cancer.Sallie Gregory Hammet wrote an obituary in the style of a classic newspaper for her golden retriever Charlie.