FARMINGTON, Mo. — Fourteen-year-old Cody Trenkle spent more than three days trapped in a ravine this summer, fighting for his life.

For Cody, Thursday was more than just the first day back at school; it was a day he’d been waiting for since the moment he opened his eyes after a month in the hospital. Sometimes real heroes have four legs and a nose for miracles.

It was a moment Cody and his family will never forget.

“I got to meet the dog that saved my life,” Cody said, his face breaking into a grin as he reached down to greet K-9 Daryl. “If I’d had to spend a couple more hours down there, I wouldn’t have made it. But because of him, 20 minutes, man, I’m impressed.”

Cody’s story seemed almost impossible : On July 27, the St. Francois County teenager crashed his skateboard near his home

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