Pint-Sized Pooch's Heroic Actions Earn Him National Hero Dog Nomination

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – For Joyce Hermann and Hook, it was love at first cuddle.

"He just kind of nuzzled up to me and it was just a bond," Joyce said.

A bond that one day would save her life. You see, Hook is a service dog and works as Joyce's ears because she has a hearing impairment.

"I'm not aware of environmental sounds or when there is a lot of background sounds," Joyce said.

So when Joyce attempted to cross over a light rail track in Downtown Sacramento two years ago, she says the nine-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix jumped into action.

"All of a sudden he just pulled me off the track, and this is not him … and I just happened to turn around and there was the light rail about a foot away from me," Joyce said.

She narrowly missed the moving train.

"I was just really, really shocked," Joyce said.

And then two months ago, Hook is credited with saving her from a prowler in her work place.

"He chased the prowler out of the office and the guy just bolted out of the door," Joyce said.

Hook the pint-sized pooch is now nominated for a National Hero Dog award. But even if he doesn't win, Hook will always be a hero in Joyce's heart.

"He's the love of my life."

You can vote daily for Hook to receive the award. If he wins, any money received will be donated a local animal shelter.

Vote for Hook here: http://www.herodogawards.org/hda2015vote-hook.