Salty Dog

 “God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." ~ 2 Samuel 22:31

After glaucoma robbed Omar Rivera of his eyesight 14 years ago, the 43-year-old continued to work for the NY Port Authority as a senior systems designer.  His office sat on the 71^st floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower.

On that now-fateful September day in 2001, he and his trusty companion Salty, arrived for work early.  Salty, a yellow Lab, became Rivera's guide dog just a few years before.  At 8:45 a.m., Rivera printed documents to prep for his meeting.

Salty sat calmly beside his desk when they both heard a deafening noise which seemed to rattle the building 22 floors above.  Salty (his olfactory senses 40 times greater than human’s), instantly smelled smoke, peaking his ‘warning’ instincts.

As the electricity shut down and panic set in, Salty could have fled and escaped to save himself.  But there was no way he would his owner behind.  Pacing with a sense of urgency, Salty seemed to be implying, “I’m with you, no matter what!  We need to get to the stairwell NOW!”

Omar snatched up his dog’s lead; Salty led him to the crowded stairwell.  Salty had always loved the city’s fast pace; possessing an uncanny ability to navigate through crowds and cut open a pathway.  For Salty, subways, crowded Manhattan sidewalks, escalators, and revolving doors were no problem.  Despite all the chaos, 9/11 was just another normal day on the job for him.

Given Omar’s condition however, they weren’t making much progress climbing down the stairs.  Believing his loyal K-9 might have a better chance of surviving without him, he unclipped Salty’s leash telling him to go and save himself.

But Salty refused to leave his master’s side.  Spiraling down the emergency stairs, he worked methodically through heat, smoke, falling debris, and confusion.  At floor 30, firemen began climbing up past them, loaded with equipment; unaware of the dangers above.  Most would not return alive.

The faithful dog successfully guided Rivera down 70 floors into the lobby where they were met by fire fighters and FBI agents helping survivors out the main doors.  They were just 3 blocks away when the tower collapsed, killing 1,466 people.

For his bravery, Salty received the Dickin Medal, the animal metaphorical equivalent of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award given for valor to members of the British Armed Forces.  The citation that read, "For dutifully remaining at the side of his blind owner, courageously leading them down 70 floors of the World Trade Center and to a place of safety following the terrorist attack on New York on September 11, 2001.”

Omar retired Salty from guide service in 2007.  He lived out his remaining years by sleeping late and chasing tennis balls.  Salty passed away in 2008, at the tender age of 13.

God of all living things, bring the wisdom of Your animal kingdom into our home.  We call upon the power and the glory of Your holy wisdom to treat this loved one as a holy child  of Yours.  Amen