Who needs Lassie when you have Ruth and Lady
Westside dogs recognized for helping to save owner
Two Westside dogs have been honoured for saving their owner’s life last spring. It was a cold April night when Matthew Smith lost control of his truck three kilometres from his Killiney Beach home.
The truck rolled down a 9.1metre embankment and landed on its wheels.
Smith was able to open the door and get out of the truck along with his two dogs, Lady and Ruth, but he collapsed on the road moments later, his wife Lara Smith said Monday.
Three hours later, at 11 p.m., a nearby resident arrived home.
“Our dogs ran up to the guy and were barking at him,” said Smith. “He followed the dogs. He could tell something was weird.”
The dogs led the man to Matthew and lay down with him while the man called for help.
“Once the firefighters were there trying to stabilize him, the dogs still tried to stay with him,” said Smith. “They were basically on top of him trying to keep him warm.”
Matthew had punctured lungs, broken ribs and a lacerated liver.
“Without the dogs keeping him warm and alerting the neighbour, he definitely wouldn’t have survived the night,” said Smith.
Matthew was in a coma for about a month and is currently learning to walk again.
Shortly after the accident, Smith heard about Purina’s animal hall of fame, which recognizes animals that have performed lifesaving acts.
Ruth, a two-year-old Akbash yellow Labrador border collie, and seven-year-old Lady, a yellow Labrador border collie, were inducted into the hall of fame for their ability to communicate quickly and efficiently the night of the accident.
Each received a medal of honour and a year’s supply of dog food.
Through this award, the Smiths got to meet the neighbour who came to the rescue that night.
“That was really amazing,” Lara said. “It was emotional and it was fantastic to finally meet him. He’s as much responsible for Matt surviving as the dogs.”