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Leyland rescue dog is finalist in Cruft’s Hero Dog awards

Posted on - 4th March, 2022 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Leyland, Preston News, South Ribble News
Chewie. Picture: Loretta Whiteley

Rescue dog Chewie from Leyland is up for the award of Hero Dog at this year’s Crufts competition after he helped to save the life of his owner.

Chewie was rescued by Loretta and Ray Whiteley after he was found abandoned in a bag with his littermates with their paws and mouths tied with duct tape in a shallow grave.

Chewie and Ray have developed a close bond which sees Chewie stay close to Ray, who has secondary progressive MS and frequently has breathing difficulties.

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After completing his puppy classes, Loretta and Ray taught Chewie some tricks, including how to do CPR on one of their other dogs.

One afternoon in 2018 Loretta heard Chewie barking and after hearing his barking getting more frantic, she went inside to find Ray slumped in his chair and Chewie jumping on his chest and licking Ray.

Loretta said: “Chewie was jumping on his chest with all his might then licking Ray’s face and then back to jumping on his chest. I checked Ray who had stopped breathing and had no pulse. My entire world came crashing down around me.

Ray and Chewie. Picture: Loretta Whiteley

“I got Chewie out of the way, dragged Ray to the floor and started CPR while talking to the ambulance service. 

“NWAS were amazing and got to us so quickly and took over. Ray left the house with a defibrillator on his chest and spent the next five weeks in hospital recovering from pneumonia caused by aspiration.”

Chewie has also helped to raise £5,000 for worthy causes, including a memorial tree to the little Pomeranian puppy that was found buried alive in Leyland.

The surplus funds from that appeal were used to help nine animal charities and 3 individuals needing help with vet bills due to awful circumstances.

You can vote for Chewie here.

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