A dog saved her owner – who hurt his leg at home in rural Washington state, fell and couldn’t get up for hours – by walking to a road, sitting in the middle of it until a local sheriff’s deputy stopped, and leading the officer to him, according to authorities.

Gita’s ability to be “a good girl and true hero” in her 84-year-old owner’s moment of need after his injury at their cabin on 25 September led to her “saving his life that day”, the Stevens county sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“The loyalty and heroism of our furry friends never cease to amaze us,” the agency added.

Haven't been working at it as hard as I should've. She's taking treats now though!

Super Adoption Saturday at lake county fairgrounds Illinois. He's in my room as we have to accommodate his getting to know the other animals.

She's decompressing after we adopted her. She's chihuahua mixed with who knows what. Her cherry eye doesn't bother her, so it won't be fixed unless she needs to be sedated for another reason someday.

She's decompressing after we adopted her. She's chihuahua mixed with who knows what.