Whizz the Newfoundland rescued nine people and dog in a 10-year water rescue career received a medal from the PDSA
A Newfoundland dog which saved nine people from drowning, including two young sisters in Gower, Swansea, has been given a posthumous medal for bravery.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Order of Merit was handed to David Pugh at a ceremony in London on Tuesday on behalf of his former water rescue dog Whizz .
Whizz, who died earlier this month aged 12 after suffering cancer, spent most of his life dedicated to patrolling both sides of the Bristol Channel and the River Severn with the Royal Navy Rescue, the Severn Area Rescue Association and the Marine Volunteer Service.
Brave Whizz
The gentle giant who stood at over six feet tall on his hind legs and weighed 12 stone, was trained to rescue people in peril from the water by owner David when he was just a year old.
One of his first rescues happened in August 2008 when a family were enjoying a day out at Oxwich Beach, Gower, Swansea.
A PDSA spokeswoman said: “Their two small girls had persuaded their parents to buy them a small inflatable dinghy.
“Suddenly the parents realised they couldn’t see their girls and panic set in: the dinghy had drifted out to sea and they were spotted on the horizon.”
The huge dog managed to pull both the girls to safety at the same time.
Mr Pugh, who now lives in Portishead, Somerset said: “I’ll never forget Whizz’s rescue in Oxwich.
“The two young children had floated out to sea on the inflateable while their parents weren’t watching.
“Whizz was able to resuce both children at the same time. Their parents were so, so grateful. They wouldn’t be alive today without him .”
The PDSA Order of Merit was presented to Mr Pugh – and Whizz’s cousin Tizz – at a ceremony on the quayside of the Docklands Scout Project on the Isle of Dogs, London.
Whizz was the third dog to be awarded the PDSA Order of Merit, which recognises animals that display outstanding bravery and devotion to their owner or wider society, above and beyond normal companionship.
As well as his water rescues, Whizz also transformed the lives of sick children and adults through his visits to hospitals, nursing homes and hospices, as well as visiting servicemen injured in the line of duty.
He also raised thousands of pounds for charity by taking part in Newfoundland Water Rescue Days.
Mr Pugh said on Tuesday: “I am bursting with pride for Whizz. He was a dog in a million and I am truly heartbroken that he isn’t here to receive his medal.
“Whizz loved working and had an extraordinary talent. Not only was he strong and gentle – he was also so emotionally intuitive.
“This made him the perfect rescue and therapy dog and a beloved companion to the hundreds of sick children and adults he met along the way.”