A MAN who broke his neck after slipping and falling in freezing conditions was saved by his pet dog after nobody heard his cries for help.
Bob, who didn’t want to give his last name, was at his home in Michigan, USA, on New Year’s Eve when he realised he needed more wood to keep his fire burning.
Wearing his slippers and pajamas, he went outside but slipped on the icy ground and broke his neck – he was left paralysed and lying in the snow.
He cried out for help but nobody heard him as his nearest neighbours live approximately a quarter of a mile away and it was late in the evening.
However, his canine companion Kelsey did hear his cries and ran over to keep him warm for nearly 20 hours, according to Fox News.
The Golden Retriever stopped him developing severe hypothermia and frost bite by lying on top of him and licking his hands and face throughout the night, when temperatures dropped to -4C.
Her owner lost his voice, and eventually his consciousness, by the morning but Kelsey kept barking for help until it arrived when a neighbour heard her.
Bob said: “I was screaming for help but my nearest neighbour is about a quarter mile away and it was 10.30pm, but my Kelsey came.”
He continued: “By morning my voice was gone and I couldn’t yell for help, but Kelsey didn’t stop barking.
“She kept me warm and alert. I knew I had to persevere through this and that it was my choice to stay alive.”
One of Bob’s neighbours eventually found him, after hearing Kelsey’s barking, and called for the emergency services.
He was taken to the McLaren Northern Michigan hospital but by the time he arrived he had developed symptoms of hypothermia.
Doctors said that Bob’s core body temperature was dangerously low and under 20C when they started treating him.
Bob said: “I was surprised to find out that I didn’t have any frostbite. I am sure it was because of Kelsey’s determination.”
Dr Chaim Colen, the neurosurgeon treating Bob, performed spinal decompression surgery and was also “surprised” that he didn’t suffer any frostbite.
Bob said he was “forever thankful” for his two heroes. “Kelsey kept me warm, alert and never stopped barking for help. Dr Colen saved my life and ability to move.”
His surgery was a success but Dr Colen said he would still have to undergo hours of physical therapy to make a good recovery.
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN JAN, 2017
