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SANDY — The Sandy City Council made history Tuesday night when, for the first time, it honored a four-legged hero.
Thibodeaux, a 1-year-old Australian Shepherd heeler-mix, won praise last March for saving the life of one of her owners.
Judy Cooper woke up in the middle of the night because Thibodeaux was making noises. "Uh, uh. You know, like that," Cooper explained.
She went to check on her 82-year-old husband, Jim. "When I turned the light on, (Thibodeaux was) sitting on his chest," Cooper recalled.
Jim Cooper was having a stroke. Thanks to Thibodeaux waking her up, Judy Cooper called 911.
"I never woke up until we got to the hospital," Jim Cooper said."
He arrived in time to save his life, thanks to Thibodeaux.
"She knew something was wrong," Judy Cooper said.
So Tuesday night, Thibodeaux got a medal and jumped on councilwoman Kristin Coleman-Nicholl after she put it around the dog's neck.
"There you go,” Coleman-Nicholl laughed.
Jim Cooper wasn’t sure about keeping Thibodeaux when they first got her. Now, he can’t imagine life without her.
"She's really special," Judy Cooper said.
