Smart Hound Aids Injured Biker

Photo courtesy Robert Celecia Robert Celecia with his empathetic dog, Miles. Miles, a local yellow Lab News puppy who recently demonstrated his Lassie-like instinct to rescue people in distress, will be the celebrity draw at an impromptu fundraiser from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 7, hosted by the downtown Starbucks.

Kids and adults can meet Miles and take away his paw-printautographed photo, available in return for a small donation to benefit the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter.

Miles was catapulted to local canine stardom because of his actions Thursday, Jan. 15, during a late afternoon jaunt with his sister Madison, a 9-year-old chocolate Lab, on the fire road inbetween Arch Beach Heights and Top of the World, accompanied by their dog walker Brooke Monacell.

Miles' play at the peak of the trail suddenly stopped as the dog stared fixedly at a mountain biker several hundred yards away who seemed to be resting in the sun. The seven-and-a-half-month-old pup bolted in the direction of the cyclist.

Monacell was concerned since the well-trained Lab was not apt to run off. But the dog apparently sensed the prone biker was not resting. Indeed, he was injured and in need of medical attention.

"Miles began licking his face, put his little paw on his chest and began circling around his head, whimpering," she said, adding that Mike, as the mountain biker identified himself, had somehow injured his collarbone or shoulder.

Mike told Monacell his partner left seeking help but asked if she would stay until help arrived. She called 911 as well.

For his part, Miles sat quietly next to Mike, not budging until emergency personnel arrived to take him to South Coast Medical Center. "It was the darnedest thing," said Moncell. "Laguna Beach is so lucky to have such a loving and loyal little hometown hero!"

Laguna Beach residents Bob and Dallas Celecia purchased the American Field Labrador Retriever from a Montana breeder to replace their 14-yearold yellow Lab, Buddy, who died last March.

"He's doing Buddy proud,"

said Celecia, who attributes the pup's behavior to his breeding as a hunting dog.

--By Jennifer Erickson