I got this from another list.
Brave Service Dog Throws Himself In Front Of Oncoming Bus To Protect
Blind Owner
By
Matthew Birl
http://www.brobible.com/life/article/service-dog-throws-self-front-bus/
An incredibly brave and apparently prescient service dog in New York
state took an instinctive leap in front of an oncoming school bus to
prevent his owner from being hit. Never has mans best friend
resonated more than this story of Bigo, a golden retriever guide dog,
and his owner, Audrey Stone.
When Bigo the service dog saw an oncoming mini school bus heading for
Audrey Stone, the blind woman he was trained to guide, the golden
retrievers protective instincts kicked in: He threw himself at the
closest part of the vehicle he could.
Police photos show the result:
fur stuck to the front drivers side wheel and in the middle of Michael
Neuner Avenue in New York, where the bus came to a stop after striking
the pair.
The driver of the Brewster school bus, carrying two kindergartners to
St. Lawrence OToole Childhood Learning Center, told police he didnt
see the pair crossing the road as they made their way home at about
8:15 Monday morning.
Stone, 62, suffered a fractured right elbow, three broken ribs, a
fractured ankle and a cut to her head in the accident, said Brewster
Police Chief John
Del Gardo. Bigos leg was cut down to the bone, said Paul Schwartz, who
manages the Xtra Mart gas station at the intersection and ran to the
scene to help.
But, if not for Bigos incredibly commendable braveness, the
consequences obviously could have been far worse.
There were 15 EMTs and people all around her and the dog didnt want
to leave her side, Schwartz said. He was flopping over to her and she
didnt want him to get away from her, either. She kept screaming,
Wheres Bigo? Wheres Bigo? Wheres Bigo? We kept telling her he was
fine.
Schwartz and one of the EMTs bandaged Bigos right leg.
The dog was being a good sport, really calm, Schwartz said. He sat
with me the whole time. He was limping as we put him on a big blanket
on the sidewalk and it started to rain. He let us wrap up his leg
without any problem. He wasnt barking or crying or yelping. But he
kept pulling toward her. After she was put on a gurney and taken away,
he stopped doing that. He seemed a little lost after she left.
A staff member at Middlebranch Veterinary in Paterson confirmed that
Bigo was being treated there on Monday. Brewster Police Chief Del Gardo
said later that the dog was undergoing surgery on its leg.
Because there are healthcare rules preventing animals from being
transported in ambulances, Bigo stayed behind at the scene.
God Bless this dogs loyalty.
The dog took a lot of the blow, Del Gardo said. And he did not want
to leave her side. He stood right with her. He was there to save her.
Bigo and Audrey are set to reunite soon, thankfully.
What a great pup you must be, Bigo. We sincerely hope you and Audrey
get well soon.
