Video: Dog saves its best friend in Japan tsunami

A loyal spaniel has been hailed a dog hero after saving its injured friend - by sticking by its side and leading a group of rescuers to him.

In footage that could melt even the hardest of hearts, the little dog leads rescuers to his pooch pal, who was lying injured in the wreckage.

The spaniel had seemingly sat by its side since the earthquake and tsunami, and rescuers first believed the white hound to be dead.

On the video, excited shouts of 'Yes, yes! He is alive!' can be heard.

In an English translation, an off-camera voice says: 'The dog is protecting him,' with the reporter replying: 'Yes. He is protecting the dog.

'I can't watch this. This is very difficult to watch. Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.

'Yes! Yes! He is alive. He looks to be weakened. We need them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.

'Oh good. He's getting up. It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It's just amazing that they survived through this all.'

The video was posted on Facebook by Kenn Sakurai, president of a dog and cat food firm that aids animal rescue operations.

He said: 'The one which came close to the camera is in the better condition.

'The other white, grey and black was weak. So it is in the vet clinic in Ibaraki Prefectre. The other dog is in the shelter of the same area.

'But please know that those two are just the tip of the iceberg. There are more and we need help.'

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