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The story of George, the little dog who saved a group of Taranaki children under attack from two pit bulls, has touched many hearts.
Now the jack russell terrier is being honoured in death with a purple heart - an American military honour.
George had to be put down last week after being injured during the savage attack but will receive a posthumous medal for his courage.
Last Sunday Alan Gay's faithful companion was walking down the road in Manaia with five local children when they came upon two pit bulls.
"What chance would a little boy have against two pit bull terriers? And even George was too small...he didn't stand a chance," Gay said.
Since the incident Gay has been inundated with calls and letters from strangers - all offering sympathy and support.
The tale has even gone global, hitting the papers in China, Canada, South Africa, Singapore and the United States.
Fellow dog lover and former US marine Jerrell Hudman from Austin, Texas read the story and is going to send his purple heart to mend Gay's broken one.
"My wife was reading it to me over the internet and...it's just a moving story, it really tore me up," Hudman says.
Hudman was awarded the purple heart when injured in the Vietnam War but thinks George deserves a medal of his own.
"It's the most any living thing can do for another living thing, is protect them like that."
