Man (disabled Air Force veteran Randy Gurchin) saves dog with CPR (10-month-old English bulldog)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2344748

Published Friday | March 9, 2007
Man saves dog with CPR
BY KRISTIN ZAGURSKI
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Doggy paddling couldn't keep Lucy the dog from nearly drowning in the icy lake.

So owner and disabled Air Force veteran Randy Gurchin edged onto the ice at Sarpy County's Hawaiian Village and pulled the pup from the frigid water.

Then he did what he thought he never would - he performed CPR on the 10-month-old English bulldog.

Ducks and geese in the open water had drawn Lucy into the lake on Feb. 28, Gurchin said.

The wintry water paralyzed the puppy, he said. She was unresponsive and had a blue face and paws by the time Gurchin pulled her out.

Gurchin closed Lucy's mouth, put his mouth over her nose and started breathing into her and pushing on her chest.



Randy Gurchin and his dog Lucy by the lake in their backyard

After about a minute, he said, Lucy began breathing shallowly.

He rushed her to the Ralston Veterinary Clinic.

Doctors there soaked the dog in warm water, gave her several injections and put her in an oxygen tent, Gurchin said.

Gurchin, 51, who flew combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring from the Air Force with a back injury in May 2005, was sent home to await word on Lucy's fate.

She pulled through and now is "100 percent normal," Gurchin said Friday.


FULL story at link.

[smirkymonkey]

1. Awwww.... I love stories like that!

I am so glad they are both safe and doing well!

[Suich]

2. What a cool story!

Thanks for posting it!!!

:hi:

[Beaverhausen]

3. Great story!

I hope I would know what to do if one of my furkids stopped breathing! :scared:

[pecwae]

4. A wonderful story....thank you!

Randy Gurchin O8)

[malaise]

5. A beautiful story -thanks n/t

[NJCher]

6. I'm so happy for this man

We hear so often about how animals save our lives. I know I wouldn't think twice about saving one of mine.



Cher

[rpannier]

7. Great Story

Thank you for posting this.
It's nice to read stories about people like Mr. Gurchin.

[Debi]

8. Great story - the sad part?

Lucy probably received better medical care than her owner did!

He's a hero :loveya:

[Omaha Steve]

9. Another photo