Neighbor's dog saves injured elderly woman

UNDATED (WHDH) -- They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but a dog is never too old to be called a hero.

The family of an elderly woman in Kansas is calling a dog just that after they say the protective pup saved the woman's life. The woman was hurt and alone for more than an hour until her neighbor's dog came to the rescue.

Red is a 13-year-old chocolate lab.

"Red came and opened up the bedroom door, 'cause it wasn't totally closed, and barked at me," said Diana Pekarek, owner.

Red was a stray that was adopted nine years ago. The couple knew the dog was special, and he proved it this week when an elderly neighbor tripped over her lawn mower and broke her hip. The woman's faint calls for help weren't heard by anyone except Red.

"I got up to see what he wanted, and he took off for the patio door. I opened up the patio door and about that time he darted off across the yard to the shed at the back of the yard. And as I was walking toward him, I started hearing somebody holler, 'Help me. Somebody please help me,'" said Pekarek.

And the neighbor had been in the shed for over an hour. Her family believes Red saved her life.

The woman is recovering from surgery. As for Red, he's just happy playing ball, but his ears will always be on patrol.

The dog's owner says he rewarded Red for his good deed with a juicy T-bone steak.