Dog Saves Debbie’s Life

20 Nov 07

Debbie Parkhurst’s companion Toby, a two-and-a-half year-old golden retriever, saved her life when she choked on a piece of apple at her home. Quick witted Toby jumped up and landed on her chest, forcing most of the caught apple from her throat.

For this act of life-saving ingenuity Toby was named Dog of the Year by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. At a ceremony a life-saving cat and five two leggeds were also honoured.

Toby, the cat Winnie and five two-leggeds were honoured on 1 November in New York for their benevolent actions toward animals in the past year, including a Bronx firefighter who saved a dog and cat from a burning building.

Debbie said that usually she peels her apples, but she “read in Good Housekeeping.. that the skin has all the nutrients, so I ate the skin, and that’s what caused me to choke.” “I couldn’t breathe and I was in panic when Toby jumped on me. He never does that, but he did, and saved my life.”

Toby accompanied Debbie for the award luncheon at Manhattan’s posh Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center.

SuperWoof to Toby the life-saving pooch!

Awoof! Archie