317: dog saves abandoned baby in Argentina

A dog in Argentina has rescued a newborn baby after it was abandoned by its teenage mother, CNN reported today. According to the article linked above, the dog found the baby in a field and carried it home, eventually placing it amongst its own puppies. Apparently, the temperature had dropped to 37 degrees Farenheit, and doctors said the baby would have found it difficult to survive the night had the dog not rescued it. The baby was taken to hospital but is said to have suffered very few injuries. The 14-year-old mother later presented at the hospital and is also being treated. Meanwhile, according to various news reports today, the dog has become something of a celebrity and is being hailed as a hero by the local community. It certainly is an amazing tale, revealing a depth of maternal instinct that cuts across species. (Picture from Channel 9/CNN.)