She was only a little girl, standing on the shore, calling out through her tears:
“I can’t swim — please, someone save my dog!”

Her dog, Bella, had chased a ball too far into the surf. The waves turned rough, pulling Bella under, and the girl stood frozen in fear. Her older sister was beside her, but she couldn’t swim either. Onlookers stayed still, unsure what to do.

Then, out of nowhere, a man named David — a homeless man she’d seen near the boardwalk — dropped his worn backpack in the sand and sprinted into the sea. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, he fought the current until he reached Bella. Gently, he lifted her head above the water and brought her back to safety. 

Bella clung to him until they reached the shore. She shook herself off, trembling but safe. The little girl’s eyes overflowed with tears. When she tried to thank him, David only smiled and walked away.

To her, David would never be just a stranger. He would always be Bella’s guardian angel.