This is a remarkable story about how man’s best friend can be man’s hero as well.
The story begins one New Year’s Eve in northern Michigan. As Bob celebrated ringing in 2017, he decided to go outside and grab another log for his fireplace.
Leaving his house in only pajamas and slippers, Bob slipped and fell, breaking his neck. He lay helpless in the snow for almost 20 hours.
He tried to scream for help, but his calls went unanswered – until his Golden Retriever, Kelsey, heard his yells with her sharp hearing.
“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,” explained Bob, according to a statement sent to CBS News by McLaren Northern Michigan hospital. “By morning my voice was gone and I couldn’t yell for help, but Kelsey didn’t stop barking.”
Kelsey loyally stayed by Bob’s side as he lay paralyzed in the snow. Even when temperatures went as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit, Kelsey still kept barking.
She also stopped Bob from becoming hypothermic by lying on top of him and licking his face and hands to keep him awake.
“She kept barking for help but never left my side,” Bob said. “She kept me warm and alert. I knew I had to persevere through this and that it was my choice to stay alive.”
Eventually, and unfortunately inevitably in this horrible ordeal, Bob lost consciousness. But Kelsey still held firm and kept barking, and finally her calls her answered.
The next day, Bob’s neighbor discovered him and immediately called 911.
When Bob arrived at the McLaren Northern Michigan Emergency Department in Petoskey, Michigan, the hospital reported that he was hypothermic. His core body temperature was under 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
“I was surprised to find out that I didn’t have any frostbite,” Bob said. “I am sure it was because of Kelsey’s determination.”
Chaim Colen, a neurosurgeon at McLaren Northern Michigan, acted fast. He immediately performed a spinal decompression surgery on Bob, which thankfully was a complete success.
Bob’s prognosis will be a long road of recovery with many hours of physical therapy ahead of him, but he is optimistic. He knows that thanks to his dog and doctor, he’ll be just fine.
“I’m so thankful for my two heroes,” Bob said. “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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