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Bust out the Kleenex, my canine loving compadres: Beverly Hills is hosting the American Humane Association's first annual Hero Dog Awards.
The Daily News reports that the search for the most courageous pooch in the nation has been going on for six months, and the eight finalists were chosen out of 453 contestants from across the country.
Those in the running are very impressive puppies, indeed. They include a helper dog who guided her owner down 1,463 stairs in the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks, a Dutch shepherd who served in the army for 11 years, and a therapy dog who surfs with special needs children and raises money for charity.
The ceremony will take place on Saturday. All eight finalists have been awarded $5,000 to go towards charity, and the winner will be given $10,000 to put towards charity.
