Dog Saves Family From Toxic Fumes (VIDEO)

Bandit, a pomeranian poodle, woke up the DeStefani family on Saturday night when toxic black smoke was filling the house, according to this story from MSNBC.

Jennifer DeStefani's husband had left a brush in a pot of boiling water to sterilize and forgot it there. When the water evaporated, the pot let loose a cloud of toxic fumes which failed to set off the new smoke alarm. Jennifer awoke to find Bandit on her chest barking, and was able to get everyone out of the house safely.

It was a lucky night for the family, who was dog sitting Bandit for a friend. The friend was surprised at Bandit's cunning, saying he is usually running into walls, not being a hero.

A firefighter who has been on the job for 11 years said this is the third time he's seen a pet wake a family in danger.

WATCH the full story:

Comments

[LiberalOutlaw]

02:39 PM on 11/24/2010

Dogs are the best kind of people.

[Charles Elk]

07:54 PM on 11/21/2010

So now is Arizona going to euthanize the dog?

[tresluv]

12:27 AM on 11/19/2010

There are so many stories like this. It's amazing, the degree to which so many humans underrate the intelligence and awareness of animals.

[jozie]

06:04 PM on 11/18/2010

That dog's smarter than most Palins.

[davcrock]

04:27 AM on 11/19/2010

Most?

[jozie]

07:44 AM on 11/19/2010

Yes, I think Trigg will rise above the rest of the swill and prove himself to be the only Palin worth the space he takes up.

[Max Shaw]

04:02 PM on 11/18/2010

Quite amazing..and lucky the bedroom door wasnt closed. And isnt there a show on Animal Planet about this stuff?

[ChaiKat]

03:31 PM on 11/18/2010

Animals are amazing.

[Lunamoth]

03:48 PM on 11/18/2010

Ditto that!

[Rosewren]

02:48 PM on 11/18/2010

If you continue on to the listed links, there are other phenomenal stories of dogs to the rescue. Amazing what they will do for us humans some of which we wouldn't even attempt to do ourselves.

[slaxx]

02:36 PM on 11/18/2010

Poodles are smart dogs.

[jozie]

06:05 PM on 11/18/2010

Yes, and the mixed breed poodles are even smarter. And they don't shed. They are wonderful companions.

[BuckyJamesDio]

02:19 PM on 11/18/2010

Last time I owned a small dog like that, it was the one creating toxic fumes.

[Cherry Davis]

02:07 PM on 11/18/2010

What a smart dog! He didn't want to die in a stranger's house! ha ha

[edgeninja]

01:57 PM on 11/18/2010

Good boy! He looks like my mom's havanese! :D

[NYCannibal]

01:53 PM on 11/18/2010

Good boy, Bandit. Good poochie-poo! Who's a good Doggie-Dog??? Why it's you, Bandit!