[slodave]

This brings a tear to my eye...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A dog specially trained to call 911 when his owner suffers seizures grabbed the phone Wednesday morning and whimpered for help when the dispatcher answered, police said.

Chris Trott, a veteran police operator, said she heard a cry from Buddy, who she later discovered was an 18-month-old German shepherd.

Buddy's owner, Joe Stalnaker, was suffering one of his more severe seizures, said Sgt. Mark Clark of the Scottsdale Police Department.

Ten years ago, Stalnaker said he was in a military accident that severely injured part of his brain, leaving him prone to potentially fatal seizures.

He got Buddy when the dog was 8 weeks old through the help of Paws With a Cause, an assistance animal adoption service.

Stalnaker said trained the animal to recognize when he is having a seizure and respond by grabbing the phone and bringing it to him.

"He doesn't actually sit there and dial 911, but whenever he picks up the phone, one of his teeth inevitably hits the number, and if it's held down for more than three seconds, it dials the police department," Stalnaker said.

http://www.kpho.com/news/17467640/detail.html#-

Amazing how animals can sense these things. Skyler, my bird, knows when I am sick and doesn't bother me when I sleep on the couch. Not so for my normal naps - he chirps and makes sure I don't fall asleep.