Samantha Griffin had no idea just how much her life was about to change when she adopted Luna, a two-year-old Siberian husky, from Speedway Animal Rescue. Only six months later, Luna would save Samantha's life in the most unexpected way.
Samantha, a 38-year-old social worker from Marion, Indiana, had moved into a new apartment with her niece and Luna at the end of May. She soon noticed that her smoke and carbon monoxide detector kept going off. Initially, she assumed it was a faulty battery fail, but Luna’s peculiar behavior suggested otherwise.
“My fire alarm kept going off and we assumed that it was a battery [issue] because as soon as we unplugged it, it would stop,” Samantha recalled. “So we just kept thinking it was a power issue. But when Luna started acting up and then I started getting a headache, we [were] just like, something ain’t right.”
On June 24, alone with Luna and nursing a severe migraine, Samantha noticed the dog acting extremely out of character. Instead of her usual playful or relaxed demeanor, Luna persistently pestered her to go outside. “She started pouncing on me – I think I still have bruises where she hit me – and she scratched up my door, trying to get out. She was alerting us way before the alarm even went off,” Samantha said.
Understanding the urgency in Luna's behavior, Samantha went outside and called the building's maintenance staff, who in turn contacted the local fire department. The first responders were quick to identify a life-threatening carbon monoxide leak in Samantha's apartment. Carbon monoxide levels in her home measured a perilous 97 parts per million—much higher than the level that can be fatal after prolonged exposure.
Carbon monoxide poisoning presents real dangers, sending over 100,000 people to the emergency room each year in the United States and causing more than 400 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms can resemble the flu: dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and weakness. Because the gas is odorless and colorless, it often sneaks up on its victims.
In Samantha's case, a bird's nest blocked the flue of her building's gas water heater, leading to the dangerous buildup of gas. Thanks to Luna's timely alert, the danger was prevented from escalating into a deadly situation.
Marion Fire Prevention Chief Brandon Eckstein emphasized the importance of regular maintenance and the proper placement of carbon monoxide detectors. “With carbon monoxide, it is odorless, there is no taste to it, you won’t see it unless it’s a very large leak,” he explained. “It may take your detectors a little bit of time depending on where they are located. It’s important to have carbon monoxide detectors close to those natural gas appliances.”
Today, Samantha, her niece, and Luna are safe and sound. Luna, who briefly lost her appetite after the incident, has now returned to her playful self. Reflecting on the experience, Samantha expressed nothing but gratitude for her furry savior. “Luna did save my life that day. If she hadn’t gotten me out, I definitely probably would have fallen asleep and just died,” said Samantha.
Her story highlights the critical role pets can play in our lives, beyond companionship. Samantha’s bond with Luna has only strengthened, and she hopes their tale encourages others to consider rescuing animals. “Dogs can be amazing. They’re not just an animal or just a pet. They can be family,” she said.
Samantha also urged people to check their carbon monoxide detectors. “Don’t ignore your [carbon monoxide] alert. Make sure you have one and make sure you don’t ignore it,” she advised, stressing the importance of annual checks on any gas appliances in the home.
“I got her to begin with because I have PTSD and I need that emotional support, but to find out she went above and beyond that, it’s incredible,” Samantha mused. “I thank God that it worked out this way and that she’s here and she saved our lives.”
As Luna looks up with her bright eyes and wagging tail, it’s clear she’s not just any dog. She’s a hero and a testament to the lifesaving power of our four-legged friends. From Samantha’s save to an inspiring reminder of vigilance, Luna’s story is one that blends courage with a wag of a tail.
