Posted on 02/24/2005 6:10:48 AM PST by Calpernia
NEW YORK CITY — In the aftershock of the worst terrorist gambit ever to hit the USA, we learn that the greatest inspiration can be found in the words, images and televised coverage of the American peoples' patriotic strength. But now, pan the cameras down a bit, and you'll find, just as heartening, the nation's dogs also upholding this great spirit of gallantry.
If you don't believe me, listen to this:
New York resident Omar Eduardo Rivera was unfortunate enough to find himself on the 71st floor of the World Trade Center north tower when the hijacked airliner struck the building 25 floors above him. Mr. Rivera, a computer technician who is blind, was in his office with his guide dog "Dorado" lying under the desk at the time.
According to the Contra Costa Times report published today, Mr. Rivera described how he unleashed his faithful friend, so that the dog might escape. But despite the chaos and the crowds of fleeing people, the four-year-old Labrador Retriever suppressed any selfish instinct for survival and instead stayed by the man's side and guided him to safety.
Mr. Rivera describes the drama:
"I stood up and I could hear how pieces of glass were flying around and falling. I could feel the smoke filling up my lungs and the heat was just unbearable.
"Not having any sight I knew I wouldn't be able to run down the stairs and through all the obstacles like other people. I was resigned to dying and decided to free Dorado to give him a chance of escape. It wasn't fair that we should both die in that hell.
"I thought I was lost forever—the noise and the heat were terrifying—but I had to give Dorado the chance of escape. So I unclipped his lead, ruffled his head, gave him a nudge and ordered Dorado to go.
"I hoped he would be able to quickly run down the stairs without me and get to safety. I thought he'd be so scared he'd run. Everything was in chaos. Glass was shattering around my head and people were rushing past down the stairs."
At that point, Dorado was swept away by the rush of people fleeing down the stairs, and Mr. Rivera found himself on his own for several minutes amid the pandemonium. But then the unexpected occurred, in the form of a familiar, fuzzy nudge from knee-high.
Mr. Rivera explains, "He returned to my side a few minutes later and guided me down 70 flights and out into the street, it was amazing. It was then I knew for certain he loved me just as much as I loved him. He was prepared to die in the hope he might save my life."
Inside the egress stairwell, they found some additional assistance from a co-worker. "I took hold of her arm. She went down on my right side and the dog on my left," says Mr. Rivera.
The narrow stairwell was extremely crowded, and confusion exacerbated the situation. "People were pushing and shoving past me. Everywhere there was a sense of terror."
But according to the man, order gradually prevailed: "...most people behaved quite prudently and grasped what was happening, so we walked down in an orderly fashion, but it was slow going. It was slow going because there were so many people struggling to get out but Dorado kept nudging me down step by step."
It took more than an hour for Dorado, Mr. Rivera and his co-worker to descend those 70 flights of stairs. Not long after they had reached the ground and gotten to safety, the tower collapsed.
Says Mr. Rivera, "I owe my life to Dorado—my companion and best friend."
I thought it was a fun story to give it's own thread.
Dog lover I am, but the co-worker deserved a mention by name here, I'm thinking. V's wife.
Yes, the co-worker was left out. This story was in a dog market target emag. So it does have the marketing intentions.
By 'V's' wife, do you mean veteran?
No,sir or maam. Ventana is my husband: V's wife is how I sign off. Never got around to my own screen name lo these many years. V's wife.
This story reminded me of a conversation that we had recently.
Well hello V's Wife! :)
At that point, Dorado was swept away by the rush of people fleeing down the stairs, and Mr. Rivera found himself on his own for several minutes amid the pandemonium. But then the unexpected occurred, in the form of a familiar, fuzzy nudge from knee-high.
Granted we had never seen a tragedy such as this in our lifetime and I personally do not know what it was like inside the WTC during all of this, but... There's something disturbing to me about a blind-man having to rely on his dog for help in a situation where so many people (read: supposed human beings) are present.
Thank you for sharing this story with me.
The Rescue and Guide dogs deserve more reporting of their
stories.
I want me a Bullsh** :D
cool, I love labs. great dog... best dogs are.. in no order. German Shepherd, Doberman, All labs, Belgian Shepherd,Belgian Malinois
Mr. Rivera, a computer technician who is blind
How exactly does that work?
I didn't even think about that.
I'll try to look that up when I'm back. Have to bring my son to the doctor's now.
I wonder how many people died as this guy slowed the line down the stairs, like a truck doing 45 on a freeway.
Fabulous story! Thanks for posting it.
The co-worker's story is out there, somewhere. I remember reading it fairly recently, how she and her blind friend and his dog made it out together. I have also seen several first-hand accounts from people who saw the threesome at various points on the way down, and how that memory stood out to the amidst the chaos of the day. Wish to heck I could remember the link to the co-worker's story or at least her name.
Ugh. That's not nice. As I recall from reading other accounts, people simply moved out of their way and let them through, just as they did for the injured. It didn't sound like they slowed anyone down.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.