Mollypops has become a real hero for her owner Rachel Hayes

Mar 17, 2014 09:21 GMT  ·  By

A cute springer spaniel called Mollypops has become a real hero after saving her owner's life by performing the Heimlich maneuver on her.

Rachel Hayes, of Carmarthenshire, West Wales, panicked and thought she was going to die when a strawberry sweet became stuck in her throat and blocked her airway. She fell short of breath and couldn't do anything to call for help.

As the woman was gasping for air, her faithful dog came to her rescue hitting her hard on the back with her little paws until the sweet finally came out.

“She is an absolute hero. If it had not been for Mollypops I would have died. […] I was sat down and this sweet just got stuck in the back of my throat, and I was trying to get it up but I couldn't, and I didn't know what to do,” the 40-year-old woman said, according to Daily Mail.

Although the dog surely doesn't know what the Heimlich maneuver is, she successfully performed the procedure on her owner, saving her life.

Miss Hayes says that although she kept pushing the dog away, the worried animal insisted on helping her. Now she knows that if it hadn't been for Mollypops, she could have choked to death.

“I couldn't phone anyone because I couldn't talk. I was having difficulty breathing and was doing my best to get it out. But Mollypops's sixth sense kicked in and she knew I was in trouble,” Rachel said.

The dog sensed something was wrong and was determined to do help her owner. She acted out of instinct, but did a great job. Rachel is very thankful to her pet, but she doubts the dog realizes what she has done.

“I think she's glad to have me alive, otherwise she would have been left all on her own. But I don't think she knows quite what she has done,” the woman added.

Rachel has lived alone with Mollypops in the rural village of Drefach Felindre since her mother passed away nearly three years ago.

A similar incident happened just three months ago, when trainee guide dog Nell saved a Liverpool woman's life on New Year's Eve. 61-year-old Lesley Hailwood was choking on a chocolate when her German Shepherd retriever cross began pouncing on her chest, dislodging the treat.

Choking happens when someone’s airway suddenly gets blocked so they cannot breathe. In adults, it is usually caused by food getting stuck.