Dog that saved lives in Haiti gets national honor

The Associated Press
Monday, October 11, 2010; 6:17 PM
LOS ANGELES -- A once-abandoned dog that helped save lives after the Haiti earthquake and a three-legged cat that inspired a series of children's books have received national honors.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced its dog and cat of the year awards Monday. Both are one-time California castoffs.
Pearl, a 4-year-old Labrador retriever, was abandoned at a shelter, then trained and sent this year to Haiti with a rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The county's seven rescue teams helped bring 12 people to safety.
Cat honors went to Henry, a stray, injured kitten found near San Diego in 2004. After his leg was amputated, he inspired the children's books that have generated more than $50,000 for animal causes.