A guide dog named Figo is being hailed as a hero, and for good reason. While out for a walk with his ʙʟɪɴᴅ human companion in Brewster, New York, on Monday, the courageous golden retriever sacrificed his own safety in an attempt to shield his person from harm. Witnesses say the dog and owner were crossing a roadway when the driver of an oncoming school bus failed to notice them in time.
Figo (pronounced FEE-go), Stone’s third service dog, is a product of the Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation.
Stone commented on her first encounter with Figo: “We right-clicked right away.” “He protects, loves, and is protected by me. Simply put, we have a solid relationship.” Stone says the devices are tracking her vital stats. Doctors said she had three ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ribs, a damaged foot and a ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ elbow.
On Monday, Stone and Figo were on their way home from their “routine walk” in Brewster, to their home on Main North Street across from the firehouse. When they reached Michael Neuner Drive, “I directed him to cross the street,” Stone announced. “‘Hurry up,’ I whispered. And we were in the middle of the road, and everything was going so fast, but a lot of people assumed he was simply jumping in front of the bus.” Affirmation stone.
The Brewster School minibus was carrying two kindergarten students to the St. Lawrence O’Toole. The driver was taken off the road pending investigation, never seeing Stone or her dog. Stone, who has poor eyesight, said she doesn’t remember much of the collision, except for one image: an injured Figo crawling towards her, injured right foot raised.
Stone added: “I have a feeling he’s going to be in a lot of pain. I remember seeing him, and his feet were wet when he came to me. Figo was standing there looking at me, wanting to come near me, but he didn’t know what to do because he knew I was hurt. “
Figo underwent sᴜʀɢᴇʀʏ at Middlebranch Veterinary in the Southeast to close a wound in his right front leg. According to an employee, Figo’s leg is being ʙᴀɴᴅᴀɢᴇᴅ and he is undergoing treatment.
“They walk there often. It’s their common path,” Boyd declared. And the friendship of Audrey and Figo I know well. It’s hard to tell them apart in this way. I realize he has to be where he is to heal, and she needs to be where she is to recover, but the sooner we can bring them together the better for both of us.
The doctors want to keep an eye on her and she’ll do further sᴜʀɢᴇʀʏ and then rehabilitate. She doesn’t know when she and her constant four-legged companion will be able to spend time together again.
“I’m not surprised he did it,” Stone replied. “He would move between me and my cart at the grocery store to prevent a cart from rolling down the aisle. That’s what he did for me in the past.”
She was expected to receive another type of medical treatment on Monday. Figo is resting comfortably and recovering well.