baby. Miraculously, the day I was getting the paperwork filled out to go through the treatment; my husband and I found out that we were pregnant. The pregnancy was very tough; we were high risk from the beginning until the end. Additionally, I had gestational diabetes and anemia; when all pregnant women were gaining weight; I abruptly lost 15 pounds. We were constantly being monitored and hooked up to machines. Well, at 8m of my pregnancy I rescued puppy pit bull; he was starved and abused; the previous owner tried to make him aggressive to protect the man's property. The puppy was under weight; his insides were in and he was just scared. I brought him home, in the hope that I can work with him and eventually find him home. Well, 2 weeks later while my husband was away for a night-he works nights; I felt asleep on the couch. I was woken up by the puppy; he was licking my face and tried to move me; he was only 25 pounds at the time. I tried to get up but could not see or walk; see, I was drifting into diabetic coma and if he did not wake me up; I would not be sitting here typing this story and having our 8 month old little girl Tatiyana. My number was all the way down to 40 and in order to continue with the pregnancy, I had to be between 90 to 140 at all times. Finally, I delivered on May 26. 2008; I received blood transfusions and my daughter was in NICU... but we both made it and we are happy and healthy.
A 5-year-old pit bull mix that scared away a San Jose woman's attacker has been honored by the Animal Miracle Foundation as its Hero Dog of 2008.
The 25-pound mutt, named Maya, "is a testament to the fact that the pit bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed," Colleen Paige, founder of the group, said in a statement.
Based in Washington. The foundation is a nonprofit that works to improve public awareness about pet and wildlife issues. It sponsors National Dog Day on Aug. 26 and National Mutt Day on Dec. 2 to highlight the high number of dogs in shelters that need homes.
Angela Marcelino, who adopted Maya from her local Humane Society when the dog was 3 months old, said she was attacked at her front door one morning in June.
"I opened my front door and was about to walk inside when I saw someone's shadow out of the corner of my eye," Marcelino recounts on the Animal Miracle Foundation’s web site. "I turned my head just as a man pushed me inside."
Marcelino said the man was choking her when she shouted the words, “Maya, get him.” While the attacker tried to fight the dog off, Marcelino struggled free, and the man walked out.
Later, police procured a drop of blood above Maya's right eye and tested it for DNA, which led to the arrest of Anthony Easley. His preliminary hearing is pending. Marcelino's entire account can be read here.
