Hero Rescue Dog Recovering After Saving Owner From House Fire

— -- Che, a 14-year-old lab-chow mix, is being hailed as a hero after reportedly saving his owner from a raging house fire in Philadelphia that almost took both of their lives.

“She must have tried to get out and lost consciousness,” Diana Heiney, of Wayne, Pennsylvania, a lifelong friend of the dog's owner, told ABC News. “He laid on top of her and barked until the neighbor’s called the fire department.”

When the Philadelphia Fire Department arrived at the scene, they found both Che and the homeowner unconscious. Che was taken to a local animal hospital where he was nursed back to health.

Che was originally a shelter dog and adopted by his current owner in 2003.

The hero dog is now staying with Heiney while his owner recovers in the hospital. Heiney told ABC News that Che is in good spirits, but misses his owner.

“[Che’s] the sweetest dog you would ever want to meet,” said Heiney. “If you get too close, he would lick you to death.”