Dog Senses Danger, Runs Owner Away To Safety

An Amazing Dog Tale

On Sunday, Charlie and I were sitting on a bench at Old Swedes historic site, a fine place where people walk dogs.

Nearby, a couple and their dog were having lunch at a picnic table under a large old mulberry tree.

Suddenly, out of the blue, the well behaved calm dog bolted full speed for the exit gate. There were no dogs or people he was running towards that might explain this sudden bolt.

The dog's mom immediately shouted to call him back and when he didn't stop she ran after him.

Just then, not 2-3 seconds after the woman ran after the dog and was 30 feet or so away from the picnic table, there was a loud crack, like a rifle shot (but not quite that loud).

A large branch from the top of the tree broke off and began tumbling down the canopy through the tree's branches.

It got blocked and stuck on the way down and didn't hit the guy who remained seated at the table. It was a large branch that looks to be at least 6 inches in diameter and maybe 25 feet long, so it could have caused serious injury if not death.

Given the highly unusual nature and timing of the dog's bolt, I strongly suspect that he somehow heard or sensed the branch about to snap and ran away to get his mom out of harm's way.

Dogs truly are amazing!

(or was in the spirits from the nearby graveyard that saved the day?)

(photos above and below shows a large branch from that same trees that fell over the picnic table last year. Luckily, no one was sitting there when it fell.)