CALVERT, Md. - Toby, a 2-year-old golden retriever, saw his owner choking on
a piece of fruit 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 poses with her dog, Toby, in Calvert, Md.,
Monday, March 26, 2007. [AP]
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Debbie Parkhurst, 45, of Calvert
told the Cecil Whig she was eating an apple at her home Friday 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 think 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, she said.
"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 wouldn't be here without
Toby," said Parkhurst, a jewelry artist. "I keep looking at him and saying
'Youre amazing.'"