Willie, the parrot
Last November, Willie watched his owner, Megan Howard, babysit a toddler, Hannah, in their home. When Megan had to use the bathroom, Megan could hear Willie scream over and over again, “Mama, baby!”.
What Megan found was Hannah choking on her breakfast and turning blue . Megan performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Hannah and saved her life.
However, it is Willie who has been receiving many accolades for his heroic efforts. Even Willie’s “mom”, Megan, attributes the lifesaving efforts to Willie.
The Red Cross awarded Willie the Animal Lifesaving Award at its annual Breakfast of Champions this past Friday, March 20th.
I’m glad Willie received the recognition he deserved even though it was Megan who performed the lifesaving Heimlich maneuver on Hannah.
However, we cannot discount what pets do to alert us humans to dangers. Pets have been known to alert their owners to smoke and fires and have saved lives doing so. Some animals are sensitive to epileptic seizures and are able to warn their owners when an attack is about to happen. It is truly amazing the instinctual powers pets possess.
My own dog, Shadow , I feel, possesses this power. Shortly after adopting him, I was experiencing an asthma attack overnight. Not wanting to wake my husband, Ed, I sat in my living room during the attack. Shadow must have sensed I was in trouble. In the middle of the night, my “hero” jumped on Ed’s chest until he woke up. Ed knew instinctively something was wrong and came to my aid. Fortunately that particular time, I didn’t need to go to the hospital. However it is great to know my Shadow is on the lookout for me.
Shadow (left) and Jazz
Now, on the other hand, my other dog ,Jazz, warns me everytime Ed comes home. Hmm… I wonder what that means.
Congratulations Wille and Megan for for your heroic efforts in saving Hannah!