Date Published 11 September 2021
There were many heroes who surfaced 20 years ago on September 11, helping people in need as the Twin Towers crumbled around them.
One of them you probably haven't heard of: Salty.
Salty was a guide dog, who despite the chaos, courageously lead his owner down more than 70 floors of the World Trade Center to safety after the terrorist attacks.
When the attacks occurred, Salty and his owner, Omar Rivera, found themselves on the 71st floor.
Omar was working at the headquarters of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Side by side, Omar and Salty began their terrifying descent.
About halfway down, a co-worker, trying to help, attempted to take Salty's lead, separating the dog and owner.
Omar thought Salty had gone ahead in fear but the dog refused to leave Omar and fought his way back up against the panicking crowds to return to his owners side.
This beautiful story of a dogs devotion, loyalty and love, against all odds, is a ray of sunshine in what was one of the darkest moments of our time.
A Prayer
"Loving God of Peace: On this anniversary of unbelievable sorrow, comfort those who mourn, and guide our hearts toward healing and hope.
Remind us of the love of Christ, love which leapt over cultural and ethnic boundaries to feed the hungry, seek the lost and care for the least.
Make of Your children, no matter how we name You, one human family, bound together in the work of justice and peacemaking.
Make us one with the Light that shines in the darkness and illumines a path toward understanding and reconciliation.
Let love be our genuine call.
Amen"
