Hero Saves Dog From 9 Story Fall

Jul 18, 2018

When a Shih Tzu decided to climb out onto an apartment balcony 9 stories up, it could've spelled disaster - except for the intervention of an unlikely hero.

Joao Augusto probably didn't wake up expecting to become a hero and go on to viral video stardom. He was simply passing by some apartments in Ribeirao Preto, a city in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He happened to glance up at the right moment and spotted Mel, the Shih Tzu, 9 floors up. She was precariously positioned on a balcony railing, about to fall.

He raced inside the complex. He may have been a stranger, but the caretaker let him in anyway. Augusto positioned himself beneath the balcony as the caretaker went up to the apartment to see if the owner could be reached. Unfortunately, no one was home.

The dog plummeted from the balcony. Augusto stood waiting, arms open, positioned beneath where she would land. And his last-minute efforts proved worthwhile - he broke her fall and maybe even saved her life. As you see in the video, he did rock backwards and land on the ground - but neither of them were harmed.

Augusto became a hero. He saw a need and ran to fill it without a second thought. Thanks to his quick thinking, the caretaker's willingness to let him inside, and their combined compassion, Mel the Shih Tzu was saved.

Augusto's selfless act made the world a better place. "I did what I could," he says, "the most I could to help. [...] It was a happy ending." Watch the video below and see this heart-stopping moment for yourself. Augusto really is a hero.

What do you think of this man's heroic actions? Would you have done the same? Show this to your friends to brighten their days!