Owner Says Dog Saved Her With 'Heimlich'

Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner choking on a piece of fruit so he knocked her down and began jumping up and down on the woman's chest. The dog's owner believes the dog was trying to perform the Heimlich maneuver and saved her life.

Debbie Parkhurst of Maryland says she was eating an apple when a piece lodged in her throat. She attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver on herself but it didn't work.

After she began beating on her chest, she said Toby noticed and got involved.

"The next thing 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".

That's when the apple dislodged and Toby started licking her face to keep her from passing out. "I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest. I'm still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I'm OK", Parkhurst said.

"The doctor said I probably wouldnt be here without Toby", said Parkhurst. "I keep looking at him and saying 'Youre amazing'".

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