Dogs are called Man's Best Friend because, through the years, dogs have proved their love and loyalty to their humans time and time again.

It seems like there is an endless amount of stories out there of how dogs come through for their owners - sometimes even saving their lives! If you stop and think about it, we really don't deserve dogs.

Photo: YouTube/Purina Canada

For one elderly man, his best friend and loyal companion helped to save his life - like a payback for the years prior when he was rescued.

Derik Hodgson has an 11-year-old Lab-Rottweiler mix named Badger. The two of them have been inseparable since Hodgson rescued Badger as an abandoned puppy in the woods, according to Purina Canada. They live together in Hodgson's remote cabin up in Elgin, Ontario.

Photo: YouTube/Purina Canada

They are known to go on many adventures together, and in one of those adventures, Badger ended up saving Hodgson's life. The 71-year-old was enjoying some photography of eagles out in the woods during the middle of winter.

Everything was going well, up until the point where Hodgson slipped on ice out on a lake and fell down, breaking his leg. Hodgson was flat out on his back in pain and was quickly losing consciousness because of the freezing temperatures.

Photo: YouTube/Purina Canada

Luckily, Badger was nearby and showed up to rescue his owner. Hodgson remembers the dog coming up to him, and he was able to grab a hold of his collar. He then instructed his pooch to "mush," and Badger began dragging him back up a steep incline to their home. Once in the warmth and safety of the cabin, Hodgson was able to call 911 for help.

That is a perfect example of Badger paying it forward for being rescued.

Check out the video down below:

What do you think of Badger's actions? Have you ever been saved by your dog? Let us know!