March 29, 2007

Dog Performs Heimlich Maneuver, Saves Owner's Life Golden labrador Toby jumped on Debbie Parkhurst's chest repeatedly as she choked on a piece of apple which had become lodged in her throat. At first, she thought the two-year-old was playing but now she believes he knew exactly what he was doing.
posted by petebest 17 years ago
  • Very impressive, and a nice little day-brightener. Thanks, petebest!
  • Woof!
  • Good boy.
  • This dog, he's saving everybody's life! He's unbelievable! This is some dog! He's a lifesaver! That's what I'll call him, too! Ol' Lifesaver!
  • *tosses Toby a big treat*
  • This must be "adorable golden lab" week for me. Just 24 hours ago I was doing a 2-mile route on my bike, and saw a big stray dog alongside the road, eying me. Uh oh. Turned out to be a golden retriever, who wagged his tail and did a "dog smile" as I passed by, without chasing me. If the opportunity permitted I would have brought it home.
  • Another example of the health benefits of keeping pets. Seriously! One of my workmates has a husky that forces her and her husband to take long daily walks no matter the weather; as a result they are amazingly youthful and enviably fit. I refer to their dog as a personal trainer, and her owners agree. Everyone knows that having a cat or dog around lowers your blood pressure (unless, of course, they're caught chewing or scratching the wrong things). And birds force you to keep regular hours whether you're inclined to or not. Also good! Great story, petebest. *slips Toby big piece of steak under the table*
  • Thank heavens he didn't give mouth-to-mouth. Nothing worse than dog breath.
  • Aaaugh!! Poison dog lips!! Boil some water!! Get some iodine!!
  • ah, another Peanuts fan..
  • *signs Mr. Whiskers up for first aid course*
  • I don't think things stuck in the windpipe can be dislodged by kneading.
  • Hey when I was choking on an apple I really kneaded it out.
  • AWOWWWWWWWWWW! URK! Urk-urk-urk... *dashes for most expensive and/or whitest carpet*
  • Why, yes. Fish tick's been eating grass again. And his breath smells like he's been in the cat box.
  • Now, then, GramMa - do I have to show you the scar where they spayed me again?
  • That's it. I've been dogless for two years. Am going to the local shelter for a corgi mix tomorrow (because corgis are the goofiest-lookin dogs ever, other than basset hounds, but much easier to walk than bassets.) What shall I name him/her?
  • Bess or Phil.
  • Corgi, corgi hallelujah!
  • And call him Hal. (Why a corgi? I've never met a corgi that didn't have an opinion on EVERYTHING.)
  • Bob.
  • Peeve. Then s/he can be your Pet Peeve.
  • Dogs tell you their names. You have to get them first and then let them tell you. Naming a dog before you get it is like . . eating a dinner that . . you've seen in a photograph. Um . . or putting coffee in the . . . copy machine. Mayday! mayday! She's going down!
  • Same with cats. I didn't decide on "Mr. Whiskers" and then set out to find a cat with contrasting facial hair. The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, It isn't just one of your holiday games; You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, there's the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, or George or Bill Bailey - All of them sensible everyday names. There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter - But all of them sensible everyday names. But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular, A name that's peculiar, and more dignified, Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum - Names that never belong to more than one cat. But above and beyond there's still one name left over, And that is the name that you never will guess; The name that no human research can discover - But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess. When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular Name. --T.S. Eliot
  • Cheers!
  • Yes, Mr. Eliot knew.
  • Toby the Heimlich Dog to appear on Late Show with David Letterman - Tonight! Fans of excellent dogs who aren't doing anything else and happen to be surfing channels at the time Be Sure to Tune In!