Saved: dog hanging from leash caught in elevator

[SoCalDem]

http://www.nbc4.tv/family/6674178/detail.html






UPDATED: 4:29 am PST February 2, 2006
LEAWOOD, Kan. --

There was a close call for a 12-year-old dog after her leash was caught in an elevator door over the weekend. Barbara Abernethy and her shih tzu, Missy, took the elevator Saturday down to the first floor to head outside for a walk.But Missy darted from the elevator. The doors closed with Abernethy still inside, holding one end of an extended leash that acted like a noose for Missy. "And she ran out, and before I could get out, someone on the third floor pushed the button and I went back up," Abernethy said. The elevator quickly rose to the third floor, hauling Missy to the top of the first-floor elevator door. That was the moment Janice Morgan walked in and saw what looked like a stuffed animal dangling from the elevator door. Morgan quickly summoned first-floor resident Mary Lou Marten.

"As I was leaving, I saw this precious dog, and I said, 'Mary Lou, come!'" Morgan said.
"It looked like a wet rag. It's tongue was out, eyes were glassy," Marten said.
"There was no sign of life," Morgan said. The two women freed the limp dog and Marten performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation until Missy started breathing again. "She unhooked the leash, and I got her in my arms, put my mouth over her mouth and nose," Marten said.
While Marten was performing CPR, Missy's owner was still in the elevator. "I was trying to talk to her, tell her I was coming and I'd be right there," Abernethy said. "I could hear her out there squeaking, and then I didn't hear anything, so that frightened me."


Barbara Abernethy and her dog Missy


"I was praying inside; Janice was praying out loud," Marten said.
"I just said, 'Lord, heal this little dog. She's so precious,'" Morgan said.
"I came running downstairs, and by this time, they had her on the counter," Abernethy said.
While on the counter at Abernethy's independent living community, Missy made a comeback and started to breathe again. "It was awesome," Morgan said. Abernethy was grateful to the women who found her dog and to the woman who breathed life into her. "I just can't imagine. I don't know whether I'd have the guts to do that or not," Abernethy said. Marten said she has helped revive her husband using CPR three times, and she didn't hesitate to use the technique on the dog. A veterinarian checked Missy over Tuesday and gave the dog a clean bill of health.