Thursday, March 29, 2007

And then a hero comes along

It is not often that I hand out the ministry's prestigious Medal of Valor. It is reserved for those who display uncommon heroism or selflessness (or those who donate large sums of money or rawhide to the ministry). And so it is a fitting award for young Toby the Golden Retriever. The Maryland 2-year-old spotted his human caretaker choking on a piece of apple that had lodged in her throat. Debbie Parkhurst, 45, attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself to no avail. After she began beating on her chest, Toby took notice and took the matter into his own paws. "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." Toby's Heimlich maneuver left a paw-shaped bruise on Parkhurst's chest, but it did the trick.

Toby, on behalf of the ministry and a grateful nation, I present to you the Medal of Valor. In addition, you will receive a one-year scholarship to the ministry's obedience school/madrassa in Yemen. Well done, Toby. May Allah ensure that your coat retains its luxuriant shine for many years to come.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done Toby!

Oh Holy Mugsy - could a pug assist their owners like this? I think they would just look in awe with their cocked head?

Nan... aine's mummy

Nat said...

Ahhh, it's amazing how jumping up on people, knocking them down down, pouncing on them, and licking their faces can be extraordinary heroism in the right situation. Unruly dogs everywhere just need to wait for their chance to be heroes.

Ayatollah Mugsy said...

Good question, Nan. Let us hope we never have to learn the answer.

Yes, Pappy's Fella. There is a fine line between heroism and socially unacceptable behavior.

Anonymous said...

Good Boy, Toby!

Boomer and his mom Carol said...

Congratulations Toby.

Mugsy, perhaps Toby is a candidate for ARF? His quick thinking could come in handy.

Bogart H. Devil said...

My hat is off to you Toby, very quick thinking and excellent aim :)

Love,
Bogart

Ayatollah Mugsy said...

Yes, Boomer. An ARF medic, perhaps.

Zeus said...

What an amazing story. I'm so impressed with Toby myself that if I had such an award to give, I too would give him one! Amazing!