Black Mountain family saved by dog after bear breaks into house

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. -- A Black Mountain family is mourning the loss of their beloved dog. They said the dog died a hero, as he protected them from a bear who broke into their home.

Tiffany Merrill, the owner of the dog was stunned when the bear broke in.

"I thought I was going to die," Merrill said.

An unbearable couple of seconds that felt like an eternity.

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"I started yelling for my kids. 'Shut your doors! Shut your doors! There's a bear in the house," she said.

Moments later, their small five-pound pooch appeared.

"My dog came out, started barking and got the bear's attention, and got the bear outside and he saved my life," said Merrill.

But sweet Pickles lost his life while protecting his family.

"There was nothing I could do," she said. "I wanted to go out there and jump on the back of the bear and save my dog."

Tonight, as Merrill and her daughter, Emily, grieve, they also reflect on all the good times they once shared with their beloved pet.

"He was always with me. If I stayed up late, he stayed up late. If I wanted to go somewhere, he wanted to go somewhere," said Merrill.

Emily said, "The most thing I liked about Pickles was how he would put us to bed and if someone was here he would just lay next to us."

And although Pickles won't be there anymore to lie next to them, the Merrill's hope their story makes their neighbors more cautious the next time they see a bear.

"They're way more dangerous than what you think they are. After what happened to me this morning, like, who would have ever thought that'd happen, not me," she said.

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