Man credits dog with saving life

By Howell Dennis

CROWLEY – When Phillip and Debbie Daigle awoke to the sound of their dog acting frantic last Friday morning, they knew instantly that something was wrong.

“Detroit is a very well trained dog and he never acts up unless something’s wrong,” said Phillip K. Daigle, who uses Detroit as a guide dog. “We thought it may be an intruder but it ended up being something else.”

The “something else” turned out to be a kitchen fire which was caused by an electrical short in their coffee maker. When the Daigle’s entered the kitchen and made their discovery, the flame from the coffee maker was already about three feet high. Because their bedroom was on the opposite side of the house than the kitchen, it isn’t a stretch to say that Detroit saved the day.

“I don’t know if he heard something or smelled the fire but we were sound asleep,” said Debbie Daigle. “I honestly don’t think we would have woke up if not for him.”

Detroit, whose full name is Detroit the Redneck Wonder Dog, has been at Phillip K. Daigle’s side for the past three years. Daigle, who lost his sight in 2003, got Detroit from a guide dog company in Boring, Oregon. It seems that Daigle may have found his new best friend when he acquired Detroit in 2005.

“He is very disciplined and smart,” said Daigle as he and Detroit relaxed at their home Tuesday afternoon. “I am very thankful to have gotten this dog.”

April is a good month for Detroit. In addition to his heroic actions last Friday, he will be celebrating his birthday on April 16.