A two-legged Chihuahua named Champ detected a potentially fatal heart attack before his owner even felt symptoms, saving his life in the process.
63-year-old Andrew Kuzyk says Champ’s unusual behavior—hugging his chest and whining —prompted lifesaving medical attention.
It made Kuzyk take the “chest tightening” feeling seriously, and his wife called for help.
He had emergency surgery during which his heart stopped beating twice, but survived to make a steady recovery.
“I was just watching TV when Champ came up to me,” Kuzyk, from Locust Grove, Georgia, recounted to the English news outlet SWNS. “He hugged my chest right about where my heart is and made a whine I’ve never heard him utter before. Shortly after that, I started having chest pains.”
Champ, who was born missing two legs, is one of six rescue Chihuahuas that share Kuzyk’s mobile home with him and his wife, Pamela.
He had had a minor heart attack once before, which caused him to take symptoms like the chest pain more seriously.
Moved by Champ’s persistent whimpering, Kuzyk’s wife dialed 911 for an ambulance and he was rushed about 30 miles to a hospital in Atlanta, where doctors performed emergency surgery.
“The doctor showed me this giant thing blocking my heart right after surgery,” he said. “He said in his career, he’s never seen anything like it.”
“I know for sure that without Champ I wouldn’t be here,” he added, saying the dog did the same thing shortly before he was diagnosed with brain cancer, just one of several forms of cancer he’s currently battling.
HER DOGS OF EVERY SIZE:
“I have a soft spot in my heart for dogs who have been abandoned, especially Chihuahuas, even though they get a bad rap because of their barking,” Kuzyk said. “Most of my dogs have special needs, too. One is blind, and they’ve become a complete blessing to me.”
Kuzyk, a self-described born-again Christian, sees profound meaning in his survival through Champ’s remarkable abilities.
“I think for some strange reason, during all my cancers, the Lord wants me to be on this earth,” he said, pointing out Champ as a third pillar of his strength, alongside Pamela and his faith.
“I love him with all my heart. He’s just incredible. Whenever people see him, they immediately fall in love with him.”
SHARE This Man’s Remarkable Survival Story With His Dog At His Side…