Animal Hall of Fame (cont'd)
2008—QUEENA
Heroic Pit Bull Mix Exemplifies Human-Animal Bond
Tragedy shattered the lives of the Saldivar Family on October 22, 2007. An accidental fire ragingly engulfed their east El Paso home as pit bull mix Queena enjoyed the morning sun. Flames trapped her beloved 83-year-old invalid owner, Alfonso, who screamed for help from his room at the back of his brother's home. Queena instantly sprang into action to try to rescue her master from the enveloped house. Firemen found Queena valiantly ripping at the back door in a desperate attempt to reach her favorite person. Hot tar dripping off the roof burned her nose, face, eyelids, ears and feet as Queena frantically clawed and chewed at the back door. While the fire escalated into an out-of-control inferno, its heat charred the fur on her head and back, melting her whiskers and eyelashes. News media reported that the fire was so intense, it melted some of the fire fighters' helmets.
Queena's unyielding efforts to risk sacrificing her own life to save her elderly owner forced firemen to tie her away from danger, preventing more serious burns. Tragically, Mr. Saldivar succumbed to the fire that consumed much of the home as horrified family, neighbors and friends watched in disbelief, unable to do more.
Authorities rushed Queena to a local veterinary hospital to treat her burns while family members mourned the tremendous, unthinkable loss of their loved one. After veterinarians released Queena, From the Heart Rescue volunteers continued treating distraught Queena's injuries. Their love and understanding eventually helped her overcome extreme shock and intense loss. They led her back to a meaningful life and new forever home with Alfonso's family.
Queena stands as a true animal hero. Her courageous efforts were in vain, but nevertheless she lives as a brave champion willing to suffer terribly painful burns in an attempt to save her beloved Alfonso. The human-animal bond soars with unconditional love and devotion in Queena's story. She serves as another amazing example of why animal lovers gather each May during National Pet Week to honor the precious creatures that indescribably enrich our daily lives, and the people who care for them.
2009
Unfortunately, after very careful review of the available applicant pool, the committee was unable to select a suitable candidate for the award. The committee plans to reconvene for 2010 and will review all applications received by the cut-off date.
2010—ZULU
Heroic Lab-Mix Saves Beloved Master, Exemplifies Love & Loyalty
The morning of November 28, 2009, Robert Sumrall and his Labrador Retriever mix, Zulu, headed to New Mexico's Gila Wilderness near Emory Pass for what was to be a routine day hike. Little did they know that their hike would turn into a life-threatening saga that tested every ounce of strength to survive bone chilling nights and days in the Gila's Black Range.
Sumrall parked his vehicle at Emory Pass near 8000-feet elevation and the pair headed south through Rustler's Canyon to an old mine. Bob's map showed a trail that led from the mine to Iron Creek, but after looking for it for 45 minutes, the pair headed down and ended up in the rugged Bull Trap Canyon where huge boulders blocked their path. Bob picked up Zulu and tried to carry her through the barricade of rocks, but the pair slipped and fell into an icy pool of water and were drenched. As the afternoon sun slipped lower in the western sky, Sumrall knew that they would have to spend the night in the wilderness, both soaked and cold. The pair headed back up the canyon to reach higher ground as lowland canyons get extremely cold at night. Bob started a fire that night to stay warm and try to dry his clothes. He spent the night under a solar blanket, with the fire on one side and Zulu on the other side. The pair headed out again in the morning in hopes of finding their way out of their unexpected predicament.
The pair followed a horse trail that led to Little Gallinas Canyon, but as he walked he felt himself getting progressively weaker. Bob only had a few energy bars to share between the two of them, and his jeans, T-shirt and windbreaker didn't provide much protection from the deteriorating weather conditions. As they continued down Little Gallinas, Bob heard some machinery noise, so they moved in that direction in hopes of finding civilization. By nightfall, the wind picked up and Bob couldn't start a fire because of wet kindling and firewood. A severe winter storm moved into the region, dumping 10 inches of snow. Zulu and Bob curled up on the ground behind trees to stay out of the bitter wind and spent a miserable night trying to stay warm.
The next morning the exhausted pair followed a little road, crossed through two locked gates and came upon a small, locked cabin. He sat down on a lawn chair outside the cabin and tried to assess the situation. He used his .357 magnum pistol to shoot the locks on the cabin door. He was able to jar the door open enough to reach inside and get a small hatchet with which he chopped at the wooden door until he and Zulu could finally get inside. This is where Bob and Zulu spent their next three days in their weakened state. A cistern outside served as their water source while they shared their last energy bars. The cabin had a little wood stove, but Bob's butane lighter quit working and he couldn't find matches. The cabin's interior felt like an ice box, but at least it kept them out of the wind and snow. Zulu never left Sumrall's side as she continually nuzzled next to him. At night Bob slept on a sofa and Zulu slept on a throw rug as their bodies' reserves slowly waned... minute-by-minute Bob's body moved closer to coma and death. Hypothermia was setting in. Bob could hear search helicopters flying overhead, but he was too weak to get outside to attract their attention.
On their last morning delirium was setting in. Bob knew they needed water so they went outside, but they were too weak to travel. Once again the lawn chair looked inviting, so he laid down on it and lapsed into a coma-like state. Later that morning, local ranchers Melba and Tom Parra happened to come by the cabin as they were rounding up some of their cattle. The Parras saw Bob lying face-down in a dry, rocky wash just yards from the cabin, with Zulu lying on his back. The minute the Parras opened their truck doors, Zulu ran off and wouldn't return to the scene. Bob was found in a state of delirium, suffering with hypothermia (body temperature of 81° F.), dehydration and mild frostbite. He was rushed to Silver City, NM and was then flown by helicopter to University Medical Center in El Paso for intensive medical care and extensive rehabilitation. Physicians believe Bob was within hours of dying, and the heat preserved by Zulu lying on him spared his life.
