A routine morning for Michael Hingson, in his 78th floor office of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, ended when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the building a few floors above him at 440 mph.

Michael felt the building tilt, then right itself. A co-worker screamed of a fire outside their windows, of paper fluttering from the floors above. People ran for exits.

While pandemonium reigned around him, Michael felt a sense of purpose and calm. After all, Roselle, the latest of his guide dogs, wasn't panicking. Instead, the Labrador stood calmly at his side, waiting for her owner's command.

Bravery

Michael, as the highest ranking executive in his office that morning, ushered his employees and visitors to safety before calling his wife and then evacuating himself.

Then, Michael, who has been blind since birth, directed Roselle to the stairway and the two began the arduous journey down 78 floors. Firefighters passed them, heading the opposite direction. Some patted Roselle as they worked their way up toward the fire.

"We don't know if they came back down," Michael said of the brave first responders.

The danger wasn't over once Roselle and Michael made it outside. They were just 100 yards away from the building when the South Tower collapsed behind them, enveloping them in a solid cloud of choking dust. "We ran for our lives," Michael said.

Roselle stopped him just once when she sensed a stairwell ahead of them. If Michael had continued, he would have tumbled down it. "She was doing exactly what we had to do," Michael said. "She remained completely and totally focused."