16. TreT made human jaws drop when a video of his incredible parkour skills was posted on YouTube in July. It has been watched more than two million times to date.
15. Scruffy Rubin and Snickers Carter broke new ground for all canines when they were married in a $5,000 ceremony in Palm Springs, Calif., in April.
14. We don't know his name, but this pooch became an Internet star after he ran out onto a baseball field and relieved himself, singlehandedly making a game of baseball entertaining.
13. Austin, Texas-based Piper 'the one-eyed English bulldog' has sold more than 120 of her paintings. We featured some of her gallery-quality creations on msnNOW in October.
12. Two years ago, blind poodle Fiona was found living in garbage. This year, she was honored by the ASPCA as the group's Dog of the Year, in recognition of her incredible recovery.
11. On the verge of choking to death on a phone cord, basset hound George of West Yorkshire, England, managed to call emergency services to his owner's home, simultaneously saving his own life and impressing the entire world.
10. Yellow lab Bosko wouldn't let a freezing, nearly dead calf out of his sight after he helped his owners rescue it. Bosko only left the calf's side when it began moving and breathing regularly again. The calf has since fully recovered.
9. Black lab Grace heroically refused to leave the side of a fellow canine that had been struck and killed by a car on a busy Southern California street. Another motorist was able to put up traffic cones to protect her until animal control officers arrived.
8. Possibly the most loyal dog in the entire world, Capitan has visited his former owner's gravesite in Argentina every night since the man died in 2006. The story of Capitan's loyalty went viral this year.
7. After Kyle Camp, a 10-year-old boy with Down syndrome, went missing in Hackleburg, Ala., a neighbor's dog led rescuers to him, where he was being kept company by the dog's puppies. It's believed they helped keep Kyle warm during the night. We honor their life-saving team work.
6. When 14-month-old Stanley Drauch of Marcellus, Mich., fell into his family's pool, it was black lab Bear who saved him. Bear jumped into the pool and kept Stanley's head above water until his mother was able to get him out safely.
5. German shepherd Dasher watched over two-year-old Dante Berry when the two were lost in the Australian scrub overnight while thunder storms raged. Dasher likely saved Dante's life.
4. Duke, who lives in Portland, Conn., woke up his human family this fall when their 9-week-old daughter stopped breathing. He is credited with saving her life.
3. 19-year-old Schoep and owner John Unger's love for each other inspired the world this summer when this touching photograph of the pair cradling each other in a Michigan lake went viral.
2. Golden retrievers Chewie, Ruthie and Luther were deployed to Newtown, Conn., this week to offer support to the families of victims. Organizers say the dogs' presence created "an atmosphere for people to share."
1. Amanda, a dog caught in a house fire in Chile, was photographed in mid-August dragging her 10-day-old puppies to safety and placing them in a firetruck ...
... All but one of her children survived ...
... For her selflessness in the face of extreme danger and for inspiring countless humans with her act of maternal love, we name Amanda the msnNOW 2012 Dog of the Year.
Meet the msnNOW Dog of the Year — and 15 finalists
12/19/2012Countless canines, including artists, athletes, comedians and heroes, inspired the world in 2012 and, for better or worse, like their human counterparts, often influenced the course of events. Click through our ranking above to meet the most influential dogs of 2012 and see who we we have chosen as the msnNOW Dog of the Year. Additional details on each of the honorees are below:
- This dog's parkour skills will make your jaw drop
- Families spend $5,000 on wedding -- for their dogs
- Dog interrupts baseball game to fertilize outfield
- 'Hero' golden retriever leads owner to his missing pup brother
- You'll wag your tail at these works by Piper the painting bulldog
- Dog found abandoned in garbage awarded title of Dog of the Year
- Choking dog saves his own life by dialing police
- Pup refuses to leave freezing baby calf
- Brave black Lab stays beside fallen friend in busy traffic
- Loyal pooch sleeps on his master's grave for six years straight
- Puppies helped keep lost boy with Down syndrome warm
- Heroic dog rescues drowning toddler
- Dog protects lost toddler on epic journey through Aussie bush
- Rescued dog returns the favor and saves his family's newborn
- Aging dog's life literally saved by beyond-viral photograph
- Comfort dogs deployed to help those affected by Sandy Hook
- Incredible photos of a dog saving her pups from a house fire go viral
Click to see more on msnNOW.com, updated 24 hours a day.
Which of these dogs do you admire the most?
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