In a surprising turn of events, a playful bulldog puppy named Harley became a lifesaving hero after chewing his owner’s toe down to the bone while he was sleeping.
Dog owners know all too well that their furry companions love to chew on anything they can sink their teeth into—shoes, furniture, or even an important document you needed for work. But sometimes, this destructive habit can lead to an unexpected blessing.
For David Lindsay, a father of five from the UK, Harley’s mischievous chewing turned out to be a life-saving act.
The Shocking Discovery
David was taking a nap on his couch when his wife walked in and screamed, “Dave, the puppy’s chewing your toe!” By the time David looked down, Harley had already chewed his big toe down to the bone, even cracking it in the process.
“I was asleep on the couch when my wife walked in and shouted,” David recalled. “My puppy had near enough chewed my big toe off! It chewed down to the bone and cracked it.”
Surprisingly, David didn’t feel a thing. That’s when he realized something wasn’t quite right.
A Medical Emergency with a Silver Lining
After rushing to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, doctors discovered the reason for David’s lack of sensation—two blocked arteries were cutting off blood flow to his foot. This condition not only left his foot numb but also put his entire leg at risk of amputation if untreated.
Doctors quickly put David on intravenous antibiotics to prevent an infection from the dog bite from spreading further. They also conducted CT scans to evaluate the extent of the damage. Thanks to Harley’s unexpected intervention, the doctors were able to detect the blocked arteries and start treatment before the situation worsened.
“Because of all this, I discovered that my foot is completely numb—I can’t feel anything,” David explained.
A Lifesaving Bite
What could have been an alarming incident turned into a lifesaving moment for David, who credits his dog’s actions for uncovering his medical issue. Rather than being upset at Harley for the damage done, David was full of gratitude for his pup.
“He’s done me a favour,” David said affectionately, making it clear that Harley’s place in the family is secure.
As for his injured toe, David remains optimistic. “I’m waiting to find out if they can put stents in. I’ll be keeping the dog,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll try to keep my toe too, but if not, I told the doctor to cut it off and I can take it home for him!”
A Bond That’s Stronger Than Ever
David spent over a week in the hospital recovering from the ordeal, but once he was discharged, he was reunited with his heroic pup. While Harley may not have understood the full impact of his actions, he’s now more adored than ever by his owner.
Harley’s surprising act of “chewing heroism” reminds us that even the most unexpected moments can turn into life-changing blessings.