The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Dog saves frail OAP’ s life
Care home pet William attracted his master’s attention to plight of hypothermic woman,
As a Lochaber care home’s resident pet, William the dog already has an important role as a companion for residents.
But the 10-year-old cocker spaniel became a hero this week when he led his walker to an elderly woman who had fallen, out of sight of passers-by, in a patch of woodland – effectively saving her life.
William, who lives with the residents at Invernevis House care home in Fort William, was out for a walk with minibus driver David “Towser” Stafford when the dog alerted him to something unusual in the hedgerow.
David, who brings OAPs to the centre for day care, said: “It was strange because William behaved differently from usual. Instead of his normal barking and running at ducks or the deer, he was standing still with his tail between his legs, and he was barking to alert me.”
William is a rescue dog, originally from Malta, who had been living with a family in Aberdeen before coming to the care home from a rehoming charity Give A Dog A Bone. He hit the headlines previously after friends and strangers alike raised £8,000 for him to have an operation.
Mr Stafford added: “It was around 7.30am in the morning, and when I got closer I realised there was a person lying on the ground. It was an elderly person and she was frozen.
“I didn’t know her, but she was very disorientated, and shivering. It is fair to say she had hypothermia. When I tried to get her up and walking she couldn’t do it.
“Eventually I got her back up on to the path, and I phoned an ambulance.”
Between William’s alert and Mr Stafford’s efforts, the lady – Fort William resident Edna Johnstone, in her 70s – is now “very comfortable” in hospital.
Mr Stafford added: “I was at the right place at the right time and I am so pleased that William alerted me to her.”
Invernevis House administrator Nikki Robertson said: “William is a hero, and so is David – although he is very shy and doesn’t like it to be said.
“We are very grateful to this lady’s family who have been in to the centre and have made a very generous donation to William’s upkeep.
“William is very good with all the residents and day centre visitors. They all love him.
“The cost of keeping William is made from donations from people in Fort William who have been exceptionally kind and generous. Everyone should be very proud of what has happened.”
The sister of the disorientated woman, Mrs Margaret Ryan, said: “A big thank you to William.
“My sister had collapsed and was hypothermic when William found her. She is now in the Belford [Hospital] where she is very comfortable.
“Thank you to Towser, the Belford – and a huge thank you to William.
“If William hadn’t found her the outcome could have been so different. He is indeed a special dog.”
“Thank you to Towser, the Belford – and William”
When it comes to understanding the joy of being rescued from a desperate situation by the kindness of strangers, William knows a thing or two. The cocker spaniel has been richly treated since taking up residence in a Fort William care home, thanks to the generosity of his human fans. Not every rescue dog enjoys the chance of a crowd-funded hip operation. Quickly established as a firm favourite, his connection with the elderly residents has already started to repay those debts and with interest, His latest Lassie-like good deed though propels him firmly into the credit column – and his status into the annals of the animal hall of fame. Like the cat who detected its owner’s cancer, a whale that saved a drowning diver or the pig who prevented a heart attack, William is a natural hero. Some deep and keen instinct to protect the vulnerable kicks in whenever he smells trouble. It should mean his own welfare is well looked after for the rest of his life – and very deservedly so.