blind man, guide dog safe after subway track fall

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BLIND_MAN_SUBWAY_FALL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-18-06-02-30


Cecil Williams pets his guide dog, Orlando, in his hospital bed following a fall onto subway tracks from the platform, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, in New York. The blind 61-year-old Williams says he fainted while holding onto his black Labrador who tried to save him from falling. Both escaped without serious injury. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Gallant guide dog Orlando was just doing his duty.

The black Lab bravely leapt onto the tracks at a Manhattan subway platform Tuesday after his blind owner lost consciousness and tumbled in front of an oncoming train.

Cecil Williams, 61, and Orlando both escaped serious injury when the train passed over top of them - a miraculous end to a harrowing ordeal that began when Williams began to feel faint on his way to the dentist.

"He tried to hold me up," an emotional Williams told The Associated Press from his hospital bed, his voice breaking at times.

Witnesses said Orlando began barking frantically and tried to stop Williams from falling from the platform. Matthew Martin told the New York Post that Orlando jumped down and tried to rouse Williams even as a train approached.

[newfie11]

1. What a great dog

Hope he gets steak for supper.

[LisaLynne]

2. Aw, the dog was going to fight that train to save his human!

Good dog! Service dogs are amazing.

[Tracer]

3. This is a nice story, but...

... would it be too much to ask for barriers in front of the tracks like they have in Paris?

I've seen too many "falling on the tracks" stories, and too many videos on the news replaying the fall over and over again.

[liberal_at_heart]

4. I can't even begin to describe how amazing guide dogs are. And that guide dog looks just like my

husband's guide dog who just passed away. I miss him so much.

[1000words]

5. Good Boy!

Lucky man.

[Skidmore]

6. There was a story a few minutes ago on MSNBC about how the dog was going to be taken away from him

because of insurance issues. Apparently, donations have come in and have prevented that from happening. I cannot fathom how some company could just remove a service animal. That is heartless.

[xchrom]

7. plus -- i believe the dog is 11 years old.

those 2 have been together for a while.

[liberal_at_heart]

8. Most guide dog organizations offer health care for the dog while it is in service, but sometimes

that care does not extend to when the dog retires. So, some people have to give up their guide dogs. My husband kept his guide dog after he retired. I'm so glad we did. I couldn't have even imagined of not keeping him. I'm so glad the man in this story gets to keep his guide dog. Got to love happy endings.