Austin Forman, 11, says he's grateful his dog Angel saved him from a charging cougar. (CBC)A boy from Boston Bar, B.C., whose golden retriever saved him from a charging cougar, says he wouldn't be alive if his dog hadn't stepped in.

Austin Forman, 11, was gathering firewood in his backyard at about 5 p.m. Saturday when his dog, Angel, started acting strangely.

Angel started following him to and from the woodshed, Austin said, almost as though she was checking to make sure he was OK.

Suddenly, Angel ran toward Austin and jumped over a lawn mower — right into the path of a charging cougar.

"I knew at that moment that I would have to go get help, otherwise [Angel] wouldn't have any hope," Austin said.

Angel, credited with saving an 11-year-old boy's life, suffered only minor injuries. (RCMP)As Angel fought the cougar, Austin ran inside, where his mother called 911.

When the RCMP arrived on scene minutes later, they found the cougar under the back porch of the house, chewing on Angel's neck.

An officer shot the cougar, killing it instantly.

Austin said it was the first time he'd ever seen a cougar in the yard.

"I was shocked and scared at the same time. I wasn't expecting a cougar at all to be in our yard," he said.

An RCMP officer shot the cougar, killing it instantly. (RCMP)"I feel very, very lucky. If it wasn't for my dog, I don't think I would be here."

Austin said he now feels very differently about Angel.

"She was my best friend, but now she's more than a best friend — she's like my guardian now."

Angel suffered some puncture wounds on her head, neck and one of her hind legs. Austin was not hurt.

Boston Bar is located roughly midway between Vancouver and Kamloops.