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Dogs are man’s best friend, and that has been true for thousands of years. However, sometimes they can still surprise us with just how loyal and good a companion they can be. That is the story of Roselle, the hero dog who guided her blind owner down 78 floors on 9/11.
Image Credits: A Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and Their Escape from the North Tower on 9/11
A Calm Start to a Tragic Day
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Michael Hingson, who is blind, was working on the 78th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and with him was his guide dog, Roselle.
Roselle is a trained service dog, a yellow Labrador Retriever, who is just staying by Michael Hingson’s desk. Then the hijacked plane struck the building, which is several floors above them. Despite all the chaos, the confusion, and the panic, Roselle stayed by his owner’s side, never letting go.
Read more: American Kennel Club
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The Long Journey Down
Michael and Roselle began their descent down 1,463 steps to escape the building, but during any of those steps, Roselle could have easily run by herself. As they are hurrying up to go down, the people are panicking and bumping into each other, and the smoke is making it increasingly hard to breathe. Throughout it all, Roselle stayed calm and continued to guide Michael.
There are some stories, too, that said firefighters on the way up have even seen them going down and stopped to pet Roselle, giving a brief moment of solace amid all the tragedy.
Escaping the Collapse
After reaching the lobby, Michael and Roselle are not yet safe, as we all know what comes next. But again, Roselle stayed by his owner’s side and led him to a safer location, just in time before the tower collapsed, and sent clouds of dust and debris to the surrounding area.
Roselle led Michael to a nearby subway entrance to get some shelter, as all of those things were going on, it was because even with Roselle’s sense of smell and composure, it would be hard to safely walk on the outside roads. After the immediate danger had passed, they headed on to a place about 40 blocks away to ensure safety.
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A Lasting Legacy
Roselle’s bravery and service did not go unnoticed. Soon, after some time had passed, their story spread to the public, and she was named American Hero Dog of the Year in 2011 by the American Humane Association.
Michael Hingson shared their story in the book “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero.” This book not only highlights what happened and how heroic Roselle is, but it is also a testament to all service dogs out there risking their lives for their owners. They really are our best friends.
Author's Final Thoughts
Roselle and Michael’s story is one of the brightest spots in one of the darkest days in recent memory. It serves as a powerful reminder of the bond between humans and their dogs. If you treat them as family, they will look at you the same way and will be there for you through it all.
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