They Find Dog Covering Owner in Bitter Cold Temps After Owner Falls and Breaks His Neck
In one of the most heroic dog stories we’ve heard, a Golden Retriever saved his owner’s life when she lay on top of him for 20 hours out in the snow! This amazing story of loyalty and survival is inspiring thousands.
A Michigan man, requesting to be known as Bob, was home alone with his dog, Kelsey, watching football on New Year’s Eve. Around 10:30 that evening, he stepped outside wearing his long johns, slippers, and shirt to get more firewood.
He slipped and fell while walking the 15 feet to the woodpile. His fall broke his neck, leaving him paralyzed.
“I was screaming for help but my nearest neighbor is about a quarter mile away and it was 10:30 p.m., but my Kelsey came,” stated Bob. “By morning my voice was gone and I couldn’t yell for help, but Kelsey didn’t stop barking.”
Kelsey did the most heroic act to save her owner. She lay on top of him to keep him warm throughout those bone-chilling hours. The freezing temperatures dropped to 24 degrees, but Kelsey faithfully stayed with Bob the whole time.
“She kept barking for help but never left my side,” Bob recalled. “She kept me warm and alert. I knew I had to persevere through this and that it was my choice to stay alive.”
Kelsey barked and howled as Bob screamed. Bob lost his voice, but Kelsey kept on barking.
The canine licked her owner on the face and arms to keep him awake, but after 19 hours, Bob went unconscious. Kelsey howled so loud that the neighbor finally heard her.
Bob was found at 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Twenty hours after he had fallen.
He was rushed to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital where they reported that he was suffering from hypothermia. His body temperature dipped below 70 degrees, his now-irregular heartbeat went into atrial fibrillation, and he had two herniated discs in his neck.
The discs were pressing on his spinal cord causing paralysis in his legs. The emergency team worked hard to get him stabilized, and they did a great job.
Neurosurgeon Chaim Colen evaluated him and felt it was important to get him to surgery quickly. “I immediately took the patient back to the operating room for decompression of his spinal cord and stabilization,” Colen explained. “After the surgery, miraculously, he started to move his extremities with greater strength.”
“I was surprised to find out that I didn’t have any frost bite,” said Bob later, “I am sure it was because of Kelsey’s determination to keep me warm and safe.”
Miraculously, Bob is was able to walk 40 steps with the aid of a walker before leaving the hospital to go to a rehab center. Colen was impressed with his recovery and said Bob should have a full recovery.
“I am so thankful for my two heroes,” said Bob. “Kelsey kept me warm, alert, and never stopped barking for help. Dr. Colen saved my life and ability to move. They are truly heroes and I will be eternally grateful.”
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