HTN: Dog May Have saved Owner's Life

A Labrador Retriever in North Tonawanda named Joey barked and got the neighbors' attention when his 81-year-old master slipped and fell, hitting his head. Ted Samborski lay unconscious for about six hours. He might not be alive if his normally-silent dog hadn't "called" for help. Samborski took Joey out on New Year's Eve, when the fall occurred. Samborski's daughter-in-law found the dog laying vigilantly by his owner's side. At that point, it was just seven-degrees outside and Samborski's body temperature was only in the 70s, a level usually considered fatal. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where doctors say he went into cardiac arrest at least twice. Doctors had to warm him internally with fluids, and his feet are still showing signs of frostbite. Joey's body heat is credited with keeping his owner's temperature high enought to keep him alive.