French mastiff Hooch wins Hero Dog of the Year

By Leanne Italie, AP
October 26, 2016, 12:07 am TWN

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NEW YORK--The human nearly lost his life to drug and alcohol addiction. The dog, well, he nearly lost his life to humans.

A French mastiff named Hooch, rescued by Zach Skow in Tehachapi, California, is the 2016 American Humane organization's Hero Dog of the Year, bestowed in a Beverly Hills ceremony taped in September for broadcast at 8 p.m. EDT Friday on the Hallmark Channel.

Hooch, among eight canine finalists, wore his best tuxedo collar, though he was reluctant to join Skow on stage.

Hosted by James Denton and Beth Stern, and featuring Dave Foley, Kym Johnson, Robert Herjavec, Marilu Henner and Greg Louganis, among other celebrities, this is the sixth year for the awards.

The finalists come in all shapes and sizes — and all were honored for the work they do. Some protect the vulnerable and comfort the sick. Others assist police, military veterans and rescue the lost.

Hooch, on the other hand, was nominated for surviving — and he was No. 1.

He was the "emerging hero dog," having been rescued about three years ago with the help of Skow, founder and operator of Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue in Tehachapi. Skow said the rescue goes the other way around as well.

Skow, from age 16 to 28, when he nearly died of liver failure, is a recovering addict, about eight years sober. As part of his rehabilitation, he went into dog rescue.

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