Well, I always knew that we K9s are far more clever than bipeds might think. This is our Secret Intelligence. They try to guess what’s going on in our mind, they interpret our winging and howling, but they are hardly ever right. Anyway, I appreciate their efforts.
Of course I do a good job as a guard dog, and I try my best to be good company . But life saving? I am most impressed by the following article telling how retriever Toby saved his Alpha’s life:
“Dog performs Heimlich on choking woman”
“CALVERT, MD (USA)
Mar 29, 2007”
“This dog doesn’t do tricks. He does tracheas.
When Debbie Parkhurst, 45, got a chunk of apple lodged in her windpipe on Friday, her dog “Toby” came to the rescue. The 2-year-old Golden Retriever pushed Ms. Parkhurst onto the floor and issued abdomenal thrusts (jumping up and down on her chest) until the obstruction was expelled from her airway. Toby’s actions, hailed as a canine version of the Heimlich maneuver, saved her life.”
“The doctor said I probably wouldn’t be here without Toby,” says Ms. Parkhurst. “It was lodged pretty tight because I couldn’t breathe. I tried to do the thing where you lean over a chair and give yourself the Heimlich, but it didn’t work.
“The next thing I know, Toby’s up on his hind feet and he’s got his front paws on my shoulders. He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest.
“As soon as I started breathing, he stopped and began licking my face, as if to keep me from passing out.”
A friend arrived in time to witness the canine CPR and drove Ms. Parkhurst to the doctor.
“I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest,” says Ms. Parkhurst. “I’m still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I’m OK.
“I keep looking at him and saying ‘You’re amazing.’ ”
Who would have guessed that this medical miracle mutt was once just a cast-away cur? Toby, as it turns out, was rescued from a dumpster by Ms. Parkhurst in 2005.
She admits that the pooch never seemed to be med-school material. “Of all the dogs in the world,” she says, “I never would have expected this goofy one here to know the Heimlich.”
But oddly, the dog’s rescue procedure was performed exactly the way it is suggested by the American Red Cross: “a series of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts.” 2
(The licking part was just improvisation.)”
I will apply for a training at Toby’s, I have decided. I always considered working as a paramedic, and this seems to be a good start. With my weight, I certainly could perform a “Heimlich” on a biped’s trachea as well!
Flori!
Wir sind, also embarassed! Du und dein Mensch gaben uns solch eine wundervolle Ehre und wir sind gewesen, also beschäftigt vergaßen wir vollständig, dir zu danken. Diese bescheidene Entschuldigung bitte annehmen. Unser neuer Labrador Apportierhund, der Mac genannt wird, hält uns sehr beschäftigt. Neue Programme und Zeitpläne. Wir lieben, daß wir in den Schmooze Preisen eingeschlossen waren. Könntest du meinen forgetful Inhaber die Verbindung zum Pfosten bitte wieder schicken? Wieder unsere tiefsten Entschuldigungen für dieses sehr verspätete bitte annehmen danken dir!
Übrigens lieben wir dein blog in jeder möglicher Sprache. Wir lieben deine Fotographien und du und Mali sind so schön.
We are so embarassed! You and your human gave us such a wonderful honor and we have been so busy we completely forgot to thank you. Please accept this humble apology. Our new Labrador Retriever named Mac is keeping us very busy. New routines and schedules. We love that we were included in the Schmooze awards. Could you please send my forgetful owner the link to the post again? Again, please accept our deepest apologies for this very tardy thank you!
By the way, we love your blog in any language. We love your photographs and you and Mali are so beautiful.
Beste Wünsche – Dory, Liza and Mac
Hi Dory, Liza and Mac,
thanks so much for another lovely message. Don’t worry, I will send you the Schmooze link on your blog.
I am glad that Mac is getting used to living with you, he seems to be such a nice chappy!
Take care, and lots of wet licks,
Flori
I read this article too when it was first published. Amazing what dogs can do.
I had to speak German the other day. Since I am on the north coast of Cornwall at present, we were walking on a cliff with binoculars trying to spot the great white shark which was in all the papers and seals. Saw the seals but not the shark of course. A charming German couple passed us and was intrigued with our involvement with the sea. This is where the fun began. They spoke little English so Eurodog and husband and children had to explain dans la langue de Goethe. It was fun. I think they got the message.
Eurodog: I am most delighted that you could practise your German. I am trying to imagine how you explained the word SHARK in German without probably knowing that it is a HAIFISCH… What a shame I couldn’t watch you!
Wir haben die gleiche Rasse, es sind wirklich liebenswerte Hunde.
Wirklich ein schöner blog hier.
LG
Sebastian