Michelle and Steven Burt, a couple from Florida, Massaschusetts, decided to take a flight on a JetBlue plane along with their three dogs. The couple had to follow the airline's protocol and place their dogs in carriers under their seats. However, soon after takeoff, they noticed that Darcy, their French bulldog, had developed breathing difficulties.
Michelle soon diced to open Darcy's carrier, against the flight's protocol, in order to check on her. It turned out that Darcy's life was in danger.
Michelle explained:
"I noticed that her tongue was blue, and I am aware that is a sign of insufficient oxygen. I pulled her out from under the seat and placed her on my lap to cool down and help her relax as she was panicking and breathing frantically."
Following the company's protocol, one of the flight attendants, Renaud Fenster, asked Michelle to put the dog back in its carrier and under her seat. But he soon realised the seriousness of the situation and decided to alert his colleague, Diane Asher.
The two flight attendants then unsuccessfully tried to cool Darcy down by using ice bags. Renaud then, a French bulldog owner himself, decided to defy the protocol in an attempt to save Darcy's life.
Michelle said:
"He [Renaud] brought a small oxygen tank with a mask attached and offered it saying, 'Maybe this will help'. I believe Renaud and Diane saved a life, some may reduce the value of life because Darcy is a canine — I do not."
Although they placed their jobs at risk by violating the airline's protocol, the two attendants manage to save the dog's life. Thankfully, soon after the flight landed, Darcy was fully well. Michelle then decided to thank the attendants for helping save Darcy's life.
She wrote:
"I wanted to say thank you JetBlue and thank you to Renaud and Diane for doing their job and also being great humans!"
It turns out that upon the news of the incident circulated, the company was very satisfied with the praise it received.
They wrote in a statement:
"Our mission is to inspire humanity, and we're very proud of those outstanding crew members who consistently demonstrate a passion for excellent customer service."
[Based on reporting by: Majestic Animals]
COMMENTS