The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has recognized its "Humane Heroes of 2007. In addition to a small group of humans, the honorees include a cat and dog who share heroic attributes.
Toby, a 2 1/2-year-old golden retriever, was recognized because he jumped on his owner's chest and forced a piece of apple out of her throat, where it was blocking her airway.
Winnie, an American shorthair, was recognized because she woke her masters up in the middle of the night as the family home filled with carbon monoxide.
"Winnie jumped on the bed and was clawing at me, with a kind of angry meow," Cathy Keesling of New Castle, Ind., says. "When I woke up I felt like a T-bar had hit me across the head."
Perhaps the pets were saying thanks for rescuing me at a young age. Toby was found in a dumpster; Winnie was saved after being abandoned on a neighbor's farm.
[USAT]

Comments (5)
Dogs - a mans best friend. ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by DJ Inphinity | November 3, 2007 10:09 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dogs - a mans best friend. I love my doggie!
1. Posted by DJ Inphinity | November 3, 2007 10:09 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 3, 2007 10:09
2. Posted by jpm100 | November 3, 2007 11:41 AM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
The cat probably couldn't get out on his own while the dog's act was completely selfless.
2. Posted by jpm100 | November 3, 2007 11:41 AM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 3, 2007 11:41
3. Posted by DoubleU | November 4, 2007 8:04 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
I agree with jpm100 on the cat, the cat probably had a t-bar across the skull feeling as well. It woke the humans up to help itself.
I think dogs have a closer relationship with humans and if they know something is wrong they will do what they can to help. I don't think the dog knew what the Heimlich's maneuver was, it just happened to do something that luckily worked.
I also think that animals can be grateful when a human rescues or helps them.
3. Posted by DoubleU | November 4, 2007 8:04 AM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 4, 2007 08:04
4. Posted by Kati | November 4, 2007 2:41 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
That's so beautiful. Yay for dogs, especially. :)
Also, I tend to think the other commenters are right about the cat, haha. There was recently a story in the news in Indiana about a bird squawking wildly when a house caught on fire, which woke up his owners. They escaped with the bird. While the bird might not have been trying to save his owners, he did.
4. Posted by Kati | November 4, 2007 2:41 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 4, 2007 14:41
5. Posted by epador | November 5, 2007 9:45 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I disagree about cats. Our black cat bonded strongly with out daughter, who DOES NOT feed her or change her litter box. She comes to her side immediately whenever my kid is upset, greets her every day and watches her leave for school and waits for her return. Not one dog gene in her either.
5. Posted by epador | November 5, 2007 9:45 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on November 5, 2007 09:45