A golden retriever-husky mix named Bear belonging to a family in Bonfield, Ontario, is being credited with saving the life of his owner, Darren Cropper, during a severe heart attack. He suffered an often fatal “widowmaker” heart attack and Bear sensed the danger and acted immediately to help his owner, displaying what the family and doctors believe to be a life-saving instinct.
Bear woke up Darren’s wife, Janice, by coming upstairs to get her attention. She followed the dog downstairs and found Darren unconscious on the floor, with Bear jumping on his chest. Paramedics arrived quickly after she called 911, rushing Darren to the nearest hospital, where he was diagnosed with a severe heart attack and stabilized through a five-hour emergency triple bypass surgery.
Doctors believe Bear’s actions, especially jumping on his owner’s chest, may have provided critical pressure to keep his heart beating. Darren is grateful for his pup’s instincts and credits Bear’s response with saving his life, saying, “He wasn’t even trained to do it. He just did it.” In recognition of his heroic actions, Bear was recently inducted into the 2024 Purina Animal Hall of Fame.
Source: SUNNY SKYZ