Stephen Parisi along with his dog Pete was hiking through New jersey’s Monkville Reservoir when they were attacked by a black bear.
Facing the bear head on, the brave dog took it upon himself to rescue Parisi and the other dogs that were with them.
According to an Instagram post dedicated to Pete, Parisi said that and the other pups ran to safety where he tied them up before returning so that he could help Pete.
“Once I was sure they were safe, I went back and scared the bear off, but Pete was gravely injured,” Parisi and his wife, Cathi, wrote.
With the help of his wife, Parisi was able to get Pete to an animal hospital, where he “held on like a “trooper.” However, despite the fast response, Pete’s injuries were too severe.
The dog had received bad spinal damage and looked unlikely to survive. The coiple decided to let him go.
Ending the heart-wrenching tribute, the couple wrote: “Run free Pete, you no longer have all those aches and pains of old age.
The couple then asked followers to “light a candle for Pete and remember that fostering and rescuing a dog can sometimes save you.”
