Scots care home’s hero dog saved life of ‘freezing and shivering’ OAP who had collapsed on remote moor
Edna Johnstone, 78, fell ill at the secluded spot and was struck by hypothermia but cocker-spaniel William raced for help and Edna was taken to hospital
A CARE home’s hero dog saved the life of a stricken pensioner after she collapsed on a remote moor.
Edna Johnstone, 78, fell ill at the secluded spot and was struck by hypothermia.
But cocker spaniel William raced to her rescue when he realised something was wrong during his morning walk at Blah Mhor in Fort William, Inverness-shire.
He alerted David Stafford, who had taken him for the stroll on Monday, and Edna was rushed to hospital.
Minibus driver David, 59, said: “It was strange because he was behaving differently.
“Normally he runs at ducks or deer but this time he was standing still with his tail between his legs and was barking to alert me.
"When I got closer I realised there was a person lying on the ground. It was an elderly person and she was frozen.
“I didn’t know her, but she was very disorientated and shivering. It is fair to say she had hypothermia.
“When I tried to get her up and walking she couldn’t do it.”
Worried David called an ambulance to help Edna and she was taken to nearby Belford Hospital, where she was recovering last night.
Hero dog comes to the rescue after another pooch needed life-saving blood transfusion
Her family have made a donation to Invernevis House care home, where William lives, to show their gratitude to her furry saviour.
Edna’s sister Margaret Ryan, 76, said: “A huge thank you to William.
“If he hadn’t found my sister then the outcome could have been so different. He is a special dog.”
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William himself was rescued after he ended up on death row in a dog shelter in Cyprus. He was found by an animal lover who brought him to Scotland.
In 2016, the pooch needed to find a new home and was adopted by the care facility.
Administrator Nikki Robertson said: “William’s very good with all the residents and day centre visitors and they all love him. He’s a hero — and so is David.”
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