Faithful Friends: Chloe the Rescue Dog Named a Hero in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame

Photo of Chloe courtesy of Purina/CBC News.

There are some dog stories that stay with us. Chloe’s is one of them.

Chloe is a medium-sized mixed-breed rescue dog from Nipigon, Ontario. In August 2026, she was inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after protecting her family when a black bear entered their home last fall.

At Green Acres K-9 Resort, we believe dogs are family. We believe they have emotional lives, strong social bonds, and individual ways of showing love. We also believe they deserve care that meets their physical, mental, and social needs, not just a convenient place to stay.

That is why Chloe’s story means so much to us. It is a powerful reminder of the faithful friendships dogs build with the people who love them.

Chloe’s courageous night

Colette and Joe Shwetz rescued Chloe in May 2019, when she was about six months old. Colette described Chloe as “one of those old soul dogs” who is “just full of love.”

On the night of September 16, 2025, Chloe was let into the yard. When she came back inside, a black bear followed her into the house.

Joe was asleep, but Chloe’s barking woke him. When he reached the kitchen, he found Chloe trying to pull the bear toward the door. The family worked together to move the bear from the kitchen into the hallway and then toward the basement.

Chloe stood guard. She barked and held the bear off until police arrived and the situation was resolved.

The family needed extensive medical care, and Chloe suffered a serious bite and nearly died. Thankfully, she recovered with veterinary treatment. Her reward was a steak dinner, and the lasting recognition of being named a hero.

“She’s our hero,” Colette told CBC News. “I know that without her, I would not be here. That is a 100 per cent certainty.”

The Purina Animal Hall of Fame was established in 1968. By 2026, it had recognized 198 animals: 170 dogs, 27 cats, and one horse for extraordinary courage and devotion.

Chloe’s bravery was exceptional. We also want to say this gently: if you and your K-9 pet ever encounter wildlife, do not expect your dog to confront it. Move away safely, bring your dog indoors if possible, and contact local authorities. Chloe’s story is an extraordinary account of devotion, not a behavior we should ask any dog to repeat.

The science behind the human-dog bond

Why do dogs become so closely connected to us? Why do they notice our routines, moods, and movements so quickly?

One important piece of the answer may be the oxytocin-gaze positive loop studied by Nagasawa and colleagues in Science in 2015.

In that research, dogs and their owners who spent more time gazing at each other showed increases in oxytocin, a hormone involved in social bonding. The findings suggested a positive feedback loop: mutual gaze supported bonding, and that bond encouraged more social connection.

This does not explain every part of a dog’s behavior, and it does not mean every dog will respond to danger in the same way. But it helps explain why dogs can become so attuned to their families. Over time, a rescue dog like Chloe may build a deep sense of trust, safety, and belonging with the people who welcomed her home.

We see smaller versions of this bond every day. A dog watches for a familiar face at pickup. A nervous guest relaxes after the same caregiver calmly offers a hand to sniff. A senior dog settles more easily when the routine stays predictable.

We believe trust is built through thousands of ordinary moments. We believe affection is practical. It looks like fresh water, careful observation, a clean kennel, a patient greeting, and a person who notices when a dog needs a break.

Our true dog environment gives K-9 guests space for movement, exploration, and social connection.

Why dogs alert us to unusual activity

Dogs also have sensory abilities that help them notice changes before we do. Their sense of smell is far more sensitive than ours, and their hearing can detect quieter and higher-frequency sounds. A dog may smell an unfamiliar animal, hear movement outside, or notice a change in the environment while the rest of the household is still asleep.

Alerting can be part of normal canine social behavior. Dogs monitor their surroundings, communicate through barking and body language, and respond to what they believe may affect their social group.

That does not make every dog a guard dog. Some dogs bark at a delivery truck. Some hide during a storm. Some investigate quietly. Breed, personality, past experiences, health, and training all matter.

At Green Acres, we pay attention to those differences. We do not believe in treating every dog the same. We group compatible dogs, provide quieter options for older or lower-energy guests, and use behavioral work to help dogs feel safe and organized.

We also do the unglamorous work ourselves. We sanitize kennels, check water, prepare meals, administer medications, monitor play, clean muddy paws, and help dogs settle after an active day. We strive to know what is normal for each guest so we can notice when something changes.

Rio’s 1,000-mile journey home

Chloe’s story reminds us how dogs protect their families. Rio’s story reminds us how families can find their dogs again.

Rio is a 10-year-old Border Collie who disappeared from his Oklahoma home at the end of July 2026. His owner, Melissa, described him as “an elaborate escape artist who tends to bolt when he gets scared.” She had been checking everywhere for him.

Rio was eventually found as a stray in Greensboro, North Carolina, more than 1,000 miles from home. Staff at Guilford County Animal Services scanned him for a microchip. That scan gave them a way to connect Rio with his family.

Melissa flew to Greensboro, reunited with Rio, and brought him home to Oklahoma. He was then reunited with his sister, a 9-month-old puppy. The shelter’s post reached nearly 175,000 views, spreading an important reminder to pet owners everywhere.

Photo courtesy of Guilford County Animal Services/WECT.

A collar can come off. A tag can become unreadable. A frightened dog can travel much farther than anyone expects.

The American Veterinary Medical Association explains that a microchip provides permanent identification beneath the skin. It is not GPS, but when a shelter or veterinary clinic scans the chip, the unique number can be used to look up the family’s contact information.

The key is registration. Please make sure your dog’s microchip is registered and that your phone number, address, and emergency contact details stay current. We also recommend a collar with up-to-date identification tags. The two forms of identification work best together.

Why a true dog environment matters

Dogs need more than a human-friendly room. They need opportunities to sniff, move, rest, play, observe, and interact in ways that make sense to them.

Our 18-acre property in Boring includes real grass, dirt, shade trees, brush, ponds, a creek, indoor play areas, and customized options for different dogs. Some guests enjoy a full day of social play. Others need a slower pace, a smaller group, or more individual attention.

That is the heart of our holistic dog care in Portland and the surrounding communities. We care for the whole dog: body, mind, and social needs.

Outdoor exercise and enrichment are part of our hands-on approach to boarding and daycare.

The Portland Boarding Solution

For families searching for the best dog boarding in Boring Oregon, dog boarding near Boring Oregon, or a reliable dog kennel in Boring Oregon, Green Acres K-9 Resort offers a family-owned option just outside the Portland metro area.

We provide:

• Dog boarding in Portland Oregon communities, including boarding-only and boarding with daycare options

• Dog daycare in Portland Oregon with supervised play, socialization, exercise, and rest

• Dog grooming in Portland Oregon and professional dog grooming near Boring Oregon

• Holistic dog boarding, daycare, and grooming in Portland

• Dog boarding for rescue dogs, anxious dogs, senior dogs, and dogs needing medication support

• Rural dog boarding near Portland with space to be active and comfortable

• Small dog daycare in Boring Oregon and quieter care options for dogs who need them

• Affordable dog boarding in Portland-area communities, with rates and options based on your dog’s needs

We have been family-owned and operated since 2007. We care for our guests with the same warmth, attention, and expertise we strive to give our own children and pets.

We call that The Portland Boarding Solution because we want you to have one caring place for boarding, daycare, grooming, exercise, enrichment, and trusted daily care.

A faithful friend deserves faithful care

Chloe protected her family. Rio found his way home because people took the time to scan his microchip. Both stories show how meaningful the human-dog relationship can be.

We believe every dog deserves to be known as an individual. We strive to create a safe, stable, organized environment where you and your K-9 pet can feel comfortable. We believe dogs should be allowed to be dogs, while receiving the patient supervision and professional care they need.

If you are looking for dog boarding, daycare, or grooming in Boring and the greater Portland area, learn more about Green Acres K-9 Resort, explore our boarding programs, or see how our daycare program works. You can also contact us with questions.

We would be honored to welcome your faithful friend into our expanded family.

Sources & Further Reading

1. CBC News. “‘She’s our hero’: Dog honoured after protecting Nipigon, Ont., family from black bear last fall.” Published August 19, 2026.

2. Purina Canada. “Purina Animal Hall of Fame.” Includes Hall of Fame history and 2026 inductees.

3. 6abc Philadelphia. “Oklahoma woman Melissa Burris reunites with missing dog found over 1,000 miles away in Greensboro, North Carolina.” Published August 19, 2026.

4. WECT. “Missing dog who wandered 1,000 miles from home reunited with owner in North Carolina.” Published August 19, 2026.

5. Nagasawa, M., et al. “Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds.” Science, 348(6232), 333–336, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1261022

6. American Veterinary Medical Association. “Microchips reunite pets with families.”

7. Green Acres K-9 Resort. “About Green Acres,” “Boarding Programs,” and “Daycare Program.”