Heroic hound 'Whizz' gets posthumous award after saving 9 humans
LONDON -- A life-saving dog has been honoured with a posthumous award after passing away at the age of 12.
Whizz the Newfoundland was trained to rescue people from the water. He saved nine humans and one other dog from drowning over the course of his life.
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Whizz was awarded a PDSA Order of Merit award -- given to "animals that display outstanding devotion to their owner or wider society," according to a press release sent to Mashable -- which his cousin Tizz accepted on his behalf.
Toni Curtis from Bristol, UK, was one of the people Whizz helped save after she had an asthma attack in the sea back in 2011.
“I am a proficient swimmer and love to venture out into the deep water," Curtis was quoted as saying in the press release.
"The asthma attack took me by complete surprise and as I was treading water, my airway closing and struggling to breathe, I realised just how isolated I was. I was sure that nobody would see me and panic really set in.
"The next thing I knew I heard a muffled voice, telling me to ‘grab the dog’ and before I knew it I was being pulled to the safety of the lifeboat.
"Whizz had saved me and I will be forever in his debt.”
David Pugh, Whizz's owner, said he was "bursting with pride" for his dog.
"He was a dog in a million and I am truly heartbroken that he isn't here to receive his medal," said Pugh.
"Whizz loved working and had an extraordinary talent."
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