Dog Performs 'Heimlich' on Choking Owner

ABC News ^ | 3-27-07 | Not identified

[afraidfortherepublic]

Choking Owner Says Her Dog Performed Heimlich Maneuver by Jumping Up and Down on Chest

CALVERT, Md. Mar 27, 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.'"

[afraidfortherepublic]

Golden Retriever ping

[sono]

Sit, Ubu ... Sit!

[1rudeboy]

The dog's owner believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver . . . .

That, or the dog wanted a treat.

[Dick Holmes]

Here's the original story.

[Joe 6-pack]

"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."

If it's like most retrievers I know, it probably figured that as long as the food item was not technically yet in the woman's stomach, it was still fair game and up for grabs.

[bobby.223]

good dog.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sounds like a made-up story to me.

[Tijeras_Slim]

My dogs would wait until I expired, roll me over and take my wallet.

[jdm]

This is nothing. My uncle's cat gave him CPR twice last week alone.

[BJClinton]

Y'sure it wasn't a "hind lick"?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Debbie Parkhurst and her dog Toby, the 2-year-old golden retriever who she claims saved her life by performing a doggy version of the Heimlich, to dislodge a piece of apple stuck in her windpipe.

Thanks for leading me to the original story. One the one hand, this sounds like a remarkable story. On the other hand, it sounds just like what any two year old Golden would do. I know that mine becomes extrodinarily agitated if I suffer any kind of coughing, or a fall. And the poster who says that he was probably after the apple has a logical thought too.

[cripplecreek]

My dog usualy tries to do the Heimlich maneuver on my leg.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Pretty lady; pretty dog. Imagine! Rescuing such a beautiful animal from a dumpster!

[sono]

There's no need to fear ...

Underdog is here!

[Joe 6-pack]

"My dogs would wait until I expired, roll me over and take my wallet."

LOL...my dogs are smarter than that...

...they know my wallet's always empty.

[bobby.223]

still chasin' after sweet polly purebred I'd bet!

[Dick Holmes]

"One the one hand, this sounds like a remarkable story. On the other hand, it sounds just like what any two year old Golden would do. I know that mine becomes extrodinarily agitated if I suffer any kind of coughing, or a fall."

Agitated? I'd give the dog a bit more credit than that. His actions, albeit guided no doubt by instinct were not random, from the way it sounds.

We should all be so lucky to have a being (human or otherwise) like this around in such a pinch!

[sono]

Actually, I can believe this story. Golden Retrievers are the embodiment of Greenspan's Irrational Exuberance. The choking person probably was lying down and the dog thought it was playtime and jumped on the choking victim. Voila!

[bobby.223]

I agree with you. goldens are just about the most playful easy going dogs around and I can see it happening as you describe.