Only a small round scar remains above Gus the dog’s left eye, but there’s an incredible story behind that wound.
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In September, the 1-year-old yellow Labrador retriever was in his yard wearing his invisible fence collar when he spotted an armed burglar on their quiet Brentwood, Tennessee street. What happened next is a mystery, but neighbors believe Gus charged through his invisible fence and chased away an armed burglar.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” said his owner, Jess, who heard the commotion that day. “You know, I heard the noise, and you know it crosses your mind for a second – ‘oh man, that sounded like a gun’ – but who expects to hear gunshots in their backyard at 10:45 in the morning?â€
Gus was shot in the head directly above his left eye. The bullet traveled through his ear canal and came out his neck. Afterward, he somehow made his way to a neighbor’s house a few blocks from home. Police later arrested 20-year-old Kequan Waller and charged him with theft over $10,000 and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Who knows what might have happened if Gus had not scared the burglar away that day?
Incredibly, Gus survived the shooting and recovered just in time for his 2nd birthday. His grateful neighbors didn’t miss the chance to say thank you.
“He’s the neighborhood protector now,”said Jess. “We just think, ‘OK, this is a life worth celebrating.'”
Just 2 months after his ordeal, the whole neighborhood came out for Gus’s birthday party. There were balloons, presents, cake, and lots of hugs and belly rubs for the heroic pooch who nearly laid down his life to protect their community.
“He’s a neighborhood hero,” said one neighbor. “That’s what he is. We call him ‘super dog.'”
This is the very best boy! Gus risked it all because he knew a villain when he saw one. We hope he continues to recover from his injury and live a long, happy life.
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