Hero dog alerts owners after elderly neighbor slips on ice

Annie the eight-year-old miniature pinscher wasn't herself Tuesday morning barking and starring out the window of her Waterford home.  Scratching at the door, her owners knew something was wrong, but what?

"She acted like she had to hurry up and get outside right away," said Sue Miller.

So Miller let her out and Annie headed over toward her next door neighbor's car.  Their neighbor is 80 years old.  He has a bad back and bad knee and walks with a cane.  Miller didn't see or hear him out there, but evidently Annie did.

"She went over there behind the car," Sue explained.  "She looked underneath and then she started barking like crazy."

Miller grabbed her coat, called for her husband and went outside.

Annie led Miller to her neighbor.  He was on the side of the car.  He had gone out to pick up his paper and slipped on the ice coming back to the house.

They helped him up and inside.  He had hurt his knees, but is okay.  He was taking a nap when we stopped by, but his wife gave Annie a treat for her good deed.

"She's the star," said Lois Marshall.

Her owners think so, too, just glad Annie was so observant and persistent.  Fortunately, they were all in the right place at the right time to help a neighbor in need.

"He said, 'I just went out to get the newspaper,' and he said, 'It's really icy out here,'" Miller recounted.  "He said, 'Thanks so much.  I appreciate it,' and he said, 'Tell Annie thank you, too.'"

"She's like a little hero," she added.