Having a dog at home is awesome! They are super loyal and protective, plus they have amazing instincts. Dogs can usually sense danger even before we do.
Sometimes, their help can really make a difference. This happened not long ago when a family dog helped save a teenager who was having a sudden stroke.
On August 26, Amanda Tanner, who lives in Spring, Texas, was awakened at 5 a.m. by her 1-year-old border collie named Axel. The dog was barking and bouncing on the bed, and Amanda felt like Axel was trying to communicate something important to her.
“He was pawing me more than normal to get me to move,” Amanda told Today.
When her husband got up to take the dog out, Axel stayed right where he was — he was standing outside the bedroom of their 17-year-old son, Gabriel.
The parents opened the door to see how their son was doing and were stunned to find out he was having a stroke. Gabriel, who was said to be a healthy high school senior, was having trouble speaking clearly and couldn’t feel the right side of his body.
Gabriel was quickly taken to the emergency room for help. Axel somehow figured out that the teenager was having a stroke and was able to warn the family just in time.
If a person has a stroke, they need help from doctors right away. It’s really sad to imagine what could have happened if nobody noticed Gabriel was in trouble, but luckily, the clever dog came to the rescue.
Dr. Sabih Effendi, a neurosurgeon and medical director who helped Gabriel at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, shared with Today, “It’s incredible that their dog was the one to wake everyone up and get them moving downstairs. When someone is having a stroke, their brain cells are in danger. If he hadn’t been discovered and a few more hours passed, the damage to his brain would have only increased.”
She added that if he had not been treated in time, Gabriel may have been left permanently paralyzed or unable to speak: being discovered by Axel “significantly improved his outcome.”
It’s really surprising when a healthy teenager has a stroke, and it has left the family feeling very upset.
“Our entire lives stopped in time for a bit and basically exploded,” Amanda wrote in a Facebook post. “I saw these things in movies and testimonials but never thought I’d ever experience such a thing. No one signs up for this!”
Life can change really fast, almost like it happens in an instant. Sometimes, it feels like everything can turn upside down overnight. But even during the hardest times, we can see that God has a plan for us. We notice His presence in every little moment, like when we take small steps toward healing. Every visit and kind word we receive shows us the love that surrounds Gabriel and our family.
Gabriel mentioned that he didn’t feel any pain, but his vision was all fuzzy and seemed really close up. He also had a headache the night before. The doctors explained that this happened because one of the arteries that brings blood to his brain suddenly tore.
Gabriel has been improving a lot since his stroke, and he really wants to return to school and his regular life soon. At the same time, his family is super thankful for their dog, Axel, who helped save him. Now, Axel is like Gabriel’s guardian.
“He’s now tasked with following Gabriel everywhere,” Amanda told Today. “He’s now sleeping with Gabriel more, and Gabriel’s doors are open so he can go in and out.”
1. Thank goodness Axel was around — he really helped save Gabriel’s life. It’s amazing how clever and caring dogs can be. We hope Gabriel gets better quickly!
Please share this incredible story!
