Pink
Golden Retriever
Inducted October 1997
Owned by Mark Muhich
Nominated by Dr. Jackie Cole
On the afternoon of Sept. 10, 1996, Galveston artist Mark Muhich and Pink went to an isolated beach on Galveston Island. They ran for a mile, swam in the surf and then Mark did sit-ups and yoga stretches, while Pink waited and chewed a stick.
No vehicles are allowed on this stretch of beach, but on that day a truck was driving toward Mark from the east, going west toward the bright setting sun. The driver apparently didn’t see Mark, who was stretched out flat in the sand. Because of total deafness in his left ear, Mark was unable to hear the approaching truck’s motor.
Out of the corner of his eye, Mark saw Pink bolt quickly. He turned to see what she was after and saw that she had positioned herself directly in front of the truck, which was moving at about 35 miles per hour. Pink’s quick action caused the truck to swerve sharply, only about 10 feet away from Mark.
Mark remembers, “Pink’s legs were broadly spread, her hair bristled, her jaws set tightly and her path took her straight into the truck’s path. As it was, the wheels missed her only by inches. I don’t know if the driver ever did see me; he never stopped.
“I said to Pink, ‘Pink, you saved my life.’ I’ll never forget the brave resolve that blazed in her eyes.”
Dr. Jackie Cole says, “Pink is a classic golden retriever in temperament—gentle, kind, serving. She is the embodiment of the old phrase, ‘sweetness and light,’ which is why her heroism on that evening is even more remarkable. That she would attack a speeding vehicle, forcing it to hit her or move is extraordinary and a clear example of heroism.”
