Dog gives his owner Moore

Award-winning television legend Mary Tyler Moore’s pet Pit Bull serves not only as her faithful companion, but a lifesaver as well. In an article in the New York Times, one of her dogs, Spanky, can tell when Moore’s blood sugar needs attention.

“He has, as with some dogs that have been written about, the ability to sense when things are off in their owners, their masters, whatever we’re calling them in this day and age,” she says. “He can tell when my blood sugar is dipping low.” Moore has had Type 1 diabetes for the past 35 years.

Along with fellow actress Bernadette Peters, Moore is co-founder of Broadway Barks, an annual animal adoption event in New York City. This Sunday, Moore will receive the Screen Actor’s Guild Lifetime Achievement award.