Golden Retriever Saves the Day

[Jeff Higgins]

Or, more like her master's life:

Dog saves injured Michigan man from freezing to death in the snow - CBS News

What was supposed to be a night of celebrations quickly turned into a nightmare for a northern Michigan man as he lay helpless in the snow for nearly 20 hours on New Year’s Eve.

About an hour before the big countdown, Bob ran out of his house in pajamas and slippers to grab another log for his fireplace when he slipped and fell, breaking his neck.

He tried to scream for help, but the only one who heard his cry was his Golden Retriever, Kelsey.

“I was screaming for help but my nearest neighbor is about a quarter mile away and it was 10:30 p.m., but my Kelsey came,” explained Bob, according to a statement sent to CBS News by McLaren Northern Michigan hospital. “By morning my voice was gone and I couldn’t yell for help, but Kelsey didn’t stop barking.”

The temperature dipped to 24 degrees as Bob lay paralyzed in the snow, Kelsey still barking by his side. The dog prevented Bob from falling victim to hypothermia by lying on top of him and licking his face and hands to keep him awake.

“She kept barking for help but never left my side,” Bob said. “She kept me warm and alert. I knew I had to persevere through this and that it was my choice to stay alive.”

Eventually, he lost consciousness. But the silence didn’t stop Kelsey from barking, and eventually the dog’s efforts paid off.

The next day, Bob’s neighbor found him and called 911.

By the time he arrived at the McLaren Northern Michigan Emergency Department in Petoskey, Michigan, he was hypothermic — with a core body temperature under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the hospital told CBS News.

“I was surprised to find out that I didn’t have any frostbite,” Bob said. “I am sure it was because of Kelsey’s determination.”

Chaim Colen, a neurosurgeon at McLaren Northern Michigan, immediately performed spinal decompression surgery on Bob, which was a complete success. Bob still has a long road of recovery, and hours of physical therapy, ahead of him, but thanks to his dog and doctor, he knows he’ll be just fine.

“I’m so thankful for my two heroes,” Bob said. “Kelsey kept me warm, alert and never stopped barking for help. Dr. Colen saved my life and ability to move. They are truly heroes and I will be eternally grateful.”

Being on my second Golden Retriever, I have to say I'm not surprised. I've never had such an attentive, empathetic, intelligent dog as either of my Goldens.

[aigel]

Dogs will always make the day, but that's just awesome.

Note to self: Don't run outside in slippers in the winter. Well, at least not in the great white north

G

[Tobra]

Always liked Goldens

[LakeCleElum]

Thax Jeff.....My Fav dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labs, and Husky......I'm traveling too much to have a dog, but take treats to all of my friends dogs when I visit....Someday.

[vonsmog]

I have had two golden's, and can see either one of mine doing the same thing! Now when this happened to my neighbor when walking her pitbull. When she slipped on the ice, the dog attacked her and almost killed her! This was a dog she owned since it was 8 weeks old, and treated it like one of her kids. People who say there is no difference between dog breeds are idiots!

[fastfredracing]

I have high hopes for our lab being a great dog. So far , he holds mastery over eating shoes, and stealing food from us. Little shat licked my hamburger while I was holding it last night. He almost got a piece of it . Wednesday night, I got up from the table, and when I returned, he had eaten my apple pie.
I can tell that he is going to be an awesome dog though . That is a great story, mans best friend /

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I have high hopes for our lab being a great dog. So far , he holds mastery over eating shoes, and stealing food from us. Little shat licked my hamburger while I was holding it last night. He almost got a piece of it . Wednesday night, I got up from the table, and when I returned, he had eaten my apple pie.
I can tell that he is going to be an awesome dog though . That is a great story, mans best friend /

[LWJ]

^^^that could be my BL in the above pic! Yes, they are sweet, smart, and gluttonous..

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by aigel

Note to self: Don't run outside in slippers in the winter. Well, at least not in the great white north

G

That's a real wake up call.
I do that kind of thing way too often. The bird net over our window got blown down and I went out to put it back in my bathrobe and slippers. It was a 30 second job but the deck and sidewalk was a sheet of ice. Mrs WD was thoroughly pissed at me. My dogs wouldn't have started barking until their dinner time.

[DanielDudley]

I have met some goldens that would hump your leg for 20 hours if you let them.

The guy was still very fortunate.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by aigel

Dogs will always make the day, but that's just awesome.

Note to self: Don't run outside in slippers in the winter. Well, at least not in the great white north

G

yeah, around here you could get trapped outside int 50 degree drizzle!

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

yeah, around here you could get trapped outside int 50 degree drizzle!

“I was screaming for help but my nearest neighbor is about a quarter mile away"

Also not an issue in So Cal.

[DanielDudley]

If he was carrying, he could have popped off a few rounds.

[Baz]

Thanks for the story, Jeff.

Man's Best Friend.

[daepp]

Quick - tell Dean Koontz!