Sophie, a people-loving, playful pup, was rewarded yesterday for giving 38-year-old Belinda Lazurko a second chance.
The 19-month old Bichon Frise from Olds, Alta, joined 140 animals in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after an awards ceremony yesterday for her life-saving actions last summer.
On June 17, 2008, Sophie frantically paced on her owner, Mary-Ann Lazurko’s, bed. She refused to allow her to go back to sleep.
“I thought she was trying to be a pain the butt at five in the morning,” said Mary-Ann, “It took probably about 10 minutes before I decided to get up.”
As soon as Mary-Ann’s feet hit the ground Sophie ran to Belinda’s room. Mary-Ann said, “In retrospect I think she was making sure I was actually getting up.”
When Mary-Ann finally responded to the dog’s odd behaviour she was guided to her daughter’s bedroom where she found Belinda unconscious. Belinda had fallen into a diabetic coma.
An ambulance crew was able to return Belinda to consciousness by administering an IV upon arrival at the Lazurko home.
