2/26/2012:
On this date in 1949 came a report from Grand Forks of a farmer whose life was saved by three dogs. Charles Westberg lived and worked alone on his farm five miles south of the city. His wife had passed the previous year and Westberg kept the dogs for company. On a cold morning, he went out for the mail, but suffered a minor stroke and fell; he lost a rubber boot while attempting to roll to the house. He made it inside, but could not manage to light a fire. He did manage, however, to make it to bed, where he lay frozen. The toes on his bare foot had already begun to darken from frostbite when he called for his dogs. They kept him warm until help arrived days later, saving him … and the rest of his toes.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
Fargo Forum and Daily Tribune. Saturday (Morning ed.), February 26, 1949: p.1.