Dog Performs 'Heimlich' On Choking Owner

[meloneyb21]

http://news.aol.com/topnews/article...r/20070327235409990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Dog Performs 'Heimlich' on Choking Owner

AP
CALVERT, Md. (March 28) - Toby, a two-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."'

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Wow, that's an amazing story. My golden probably would have just wanted to eat the apple!

 

[KristiKelly]

Wow, what a smart dog!

My dog would probably take the rest of the apple that I had not eaten and take off with it.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Aw, that brought tears to my eyes! What an awesome dog!

 

[VolleyballQt07]

I love my dogs to death but they are both to stupid to do anything like that.

And yes, along with KristiKelly's dog, mine would have probally took the apple and eat the rest.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

That's what my DH said about our goofy Lab... that he would have done that if he thought there was food in my throat for the taking.

 

[ZachnElli]

I saw this last night. Totally made me tear up. We lost our golden mix named Toby in August. But Toby lives on!

 

[phillybeth]

Mine would be sitting there fighting over who would get the first nibble out of my haunch

 

[MouseJunkie]

You know I would have said my golden would have wanted the apple too. This makes me think otherwise. I got up out of bed one night and tripped over him in the dark. I fell pretty hard on him and my knee. I was worried I hurt him. He apparently was fine because he started licking my knee. Such a smart cookie. He was more worried about me being hurt. Of course I was worried that I hurt him. That's my boy!

 

[Honu]

My dog Heimlich's everyone that comes in the door. 50 pounds of border collie hitting your solar plexus. Now I can tell people that he just wants to make sure you're not choking.