A woman who suffers from a rare heart condition has spoken of how her dog has refused to leave her side as she undergoes treatment, a testament to the loyalty and kindness of our canine friends.
Shauna Darcy, originally adopted Ruby to help her with her anxiety, which is in part related to her condition. When they first met Shauna knew it was love at first sight and ever since the pair have been inseparable.
Originally training to be a service dog, Ruby now lives with Shauna full-time and recently, a picture of Ruby lying in a hospital bed with her owner went viral online.
Shauna told The Dodo:
"While she was training to be a service dog I noticed that she started picking up on changes in my heart rate and would act funny. For example, paw at me, try to get my attention, get on top of me [and other stuff like that]."
Ruby now looks out for her owner by keeping her anxiety in check and monitoring her blood pressure and heart rate.
Shauna's rare condition is known as vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and can cause fainting, other physical symptoms, and can even be fatal.
Shauna added:
"When I pass out she gets on top of me and applies all her pressure on me and licks my hands and face until I come around. When I pass out she gets on top of me and applies all her pressure on me and licks my hands and face until I come around."
Amazingly Ruby even recently saved Shauna's life. Although she was feeling wel,l Ruby sensed something was wrong and began warning her owner, so Shauna phoned the doctor. It turned out she was suffering an arterial fibrillation and by the time paramedics came to see Shauna she was almost unconscious.
It was while Shauna was in the hospital that the picture that stunned the world was taken. Shauna is expected to be released from the hospital in the near future.
[Based on reporting by: Majestic Animals]
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