Dakin Humane Awards held in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Recognizing heroic animal lovers, and heroic pets.

Some 200 people participated in Friday night's second annual Dakin Humane Awards Celebration at Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke.

Dakin honored seven extraordinary animal advocates, but there were some three and four legged heroes honored as well.

Leslie Harris, executive director of Dakin, told 22News, "We're also recognizing tonight two terrific dogs, both of whom led their people through dangerous situations to safety at their own risk."

Owner Adalberto Velez, whose dog Seeger was honored, explained, "He actually warned me that the tornado was coming. And I went into the bathroom with him until it was over."

After the tornado, Seeger guided Adalberto, who is blind, through the debris-fill streets, around downed trees and power lines to safety.

Lilly, an adopted pitbull, suffered catastrophic injuries while saving her person's life from an oncoming train.