Although the year 2000 is far from over, we could not help but honor this photo with our "Best Animal Photograph of 2000"   award.  It is such a dramatic and meaningful photograph we doubt whether any other could come even close.

In Tucson, Arizona, a Drexel Heights fireman entered the fully involved mobile home fire and found this dog unconscious on the floor.   He brought the dog out and laid it on the front porch, believing it to be dead.  Fire Marshal Howard Rosenberg noticed the dog gasp for a breath and, with the assistance of Pima County Deputy Sheriff Kevin Kubitskey, administered oxygen to the stricken dog until it recovered completely.   Tucson Citizen Photographer, Francisco Medina, captured this exquisite moment for history.

Man's best friend had a few friends himself that day.   Probably no other illustration could better demonstrate the depth of human compassion for animals than this photograph.

When you read of stories of animal cruelty, stop and remember this photograph and the real everyday heroes; fireman, sheriff and news photographer who, that hot day in June of 2000, showed the human/animal relationship at its best.