In its 60-year history, the International Dog Loyalty Award bestows its highest honor for the first time to a Russian dog.

The 9-year-old German shepherd from St. Petersburg, Wolf-Mercury, was recognized in the international event after a daring rescue of a 15-year-old girl.

In September of last year, a resident of Lomonosov reported the disappearance of their daughter.

Maria Koptseva, Wolf-Mercury’s handler, started the search around the area where the girl’s phone was last detected. For cases involving missing people, time is of the essence. So to hasten the search, they took the girl’s pillowcase to Wolf-Mercury so he could catch the scent. The German shepherd led the police to an abandoned building where the girl was being held captive.

When they arrived at the scene, the 36-year-old local who abducted the girl was holding the girl and was ready to abuse her.

If the police arrived late, the crime would’ve been perpetrated. This was all thanks to Wolf-Mercury who quickly led the police to the abandoned building.

The man was arrested and was revealed to be a repeat offender. The girl, meanwhile, was given medical attention.

Koptseva shared that the most rewarding moment was when the girl’s mother came to the place and hugged her daughter. It reminded her why she and Wolf-Mercury do what they do.

This only goes to show how far we’ve come from hunting together to looking after each other.

Man and dogs always had a symbiotic relationship that is further exemplified by these tales of loyalty and heroism.

Sonia Gentoso, head of the organizing committee for the award-giving body, shared that the honor serves as a celebration of this friendship.

She said that these stories fill the 60-year catalog of the organization.

One such story is about the wolf-dog Akela and how he helped an elderly man find his way home. The said man was already lost for two days. Meanwhile, chihuahua Amon saved his 71-year-old owner when she fell into a ravine. He howled and whined for four days and three nights which lead to the woman’s rescue.

In the city of Ivrea, nine-year-old dog Jimmy bravely rushed towards a full-sized boar when it poised to attack his 85-year-old owner. He had a deep open wound but he was able to save the man’s life.

One story also echoes immense loyalty.

Nicoletta from the city of Forio never left her owner’s gravestone. She stayed every day for ten years. She survived because she was fed by a local hotelier.

The Dog Loyalty Award originated in the town of San Rocco di Camogli in the early 60s. A local abandoned dog named Pucci made friends with the school kids. He accompanied them during breaks and made sure they’re safe until dismissal time.

To immortalize his dedication, the town decided to honor his memory by recognizing the loyalty of dogs who help people.

The award is also in honor of Saint Roch, or San Rocco, who is the patron saint of dogs and livestock. According to legend, the saint fell ill with the plague and was dying of hunger because people refuse to go near him. He was saved by a dog who religiously supplied him with bread.

While this story is apocryphal at best, the night where Wolf-Mercury saved a young girl’s life is as real as their loyalty could get.

We are blessed with such creatures and it is only right that we celebrate their heroism.

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Source: YouTube – Новости на Первом Канале, YouTube – СЕГОДНЯ, The Moscow Times, RIA Novosti