service dogHappy New Year! Let's start 2012 off right with a feel good story about an amazing pug. Her name is Pei Pei and she belongs to James Taylor (not the James Taylor) in Vero Beach, Florida. Taylor is a retired Army police officer and says he doesn't know what he'd do without his wonderful companion -- she's part of Florida's Dogs for Life program and was trained by Taylor for two years to protect and accompany him wherever he goes. Taylor, who suffers from PSTD, taught Pei Pei how to dial 9-1-1 using a phone on the floor and to make a circle around him in crowds so that people stay back.

Taylor also suffers from hearing loss so Pei Pei acts has his second set of ears, alerting him when the doorbell rings and running in small circles if the smoke alarm goes off. But that's not even the most amazing part.

Pei Pei will lick Taylor's face if he's having a nightmare to wake him up. It doesn't get much sweeter than that, does it?

Service dogs are some of the most special animals on the planets. The love, support, and comfort they provide for people in need is so selfless that it becomes inspirational. It's terrific to see a pug in the service capacity -- usually stories like these feature golden retrievers and the ilk.

Animals, no matter how intelligent or well trained, are such an important part of our lives. Gandhi said, "the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" and I couldn't agree more. Let's make a resolution to treat all animals, service oriented or not, with love, kindness, and respect in 2012.

Watch James Taylor and Pei Pei:

 

Do you have any special animals in your life?

 

Photo via cnn.com