Owner Says Dog Saved Her With 'Heimlich'

[CrumCowgirlMama]

I saw this story on Good Morning America this morning and thought it was unbelieveable!




CALVERT, Md. Mar 28, 2007 (AP)— Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner choking on a piece of fruit and began jumping up and down on the woman's chest. The dog's owner believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver and saved her life.

Debbie Parkhurst, 45, of Calvert told the Cecil Whig she was eating an apple at her home Friday when a piece lodged in her throat. She attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself but it didn't work. After she began beating on her chest, she said Toby noticed and got involved.

"The next think I know, Toby's up on his hind feet and he's got his front paws on my shoulders," she recalled. "He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest."

That's when the apple dislodged and Toby started licking her face to keep her from passing out, she said.

"I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest. I'm still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I'm OK," Parkhurst said.

"The doctor said I probably wouldnt be here without Toby," said Parkhurst, a jewelry artist. "I keep looking at him and saying 'Youre amazing.'"


Information from: Cecil (Md.) Whig, http://www.cecilwhig.com

[Wilma]

That is an amazing story.  For anyone who does not believe that we can communicate with our pets, believe this.  How else would the dog have known what to do?

Thanks for sharing.

[Mom70x7]

I've also heard about this - and, yes, animals are that smart!

[Teresa]

They are very very smart and have sensory perceptions that we don't understand....
BUT..
Lets not forget that there are angels that guide and help  our animals also.

[Janet Harrington]

You know that when someone suffers from epilepsy that by getting a dog, the person and family can watch the dog to figure out when another seizure is going to happen.  Dogs are wonderful service animals.