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| Staff photo by Joe Giordano | Lillian Davis' dog Taca saved her life by alerting her husband after she blacked out. Davis called Taca's efforts a miracle. |
Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio Twenty years ago, Lillian Davis saved a girl choking in a grade school cafeteria. Little did she know her heroic act would one day be returned. It was around 4:15 a.m. on March 22 when Lillian Davis sat up in her twin bed. Within moments, everything faded as dark as night for the 80-year-old woman. "I didn't try to get up. I just blacked out and fell on the floor on my face," Davis said. "Then I awoke a little bit and started moaning." Davis' husband of 62 years was soundly asleep across the hall. Deaf in one ear, 81-year-old William M. Davis could not hear her cries for help. As Lillian lapsed in and out of consciousness, she felt the presence of her 11-pound Chihuahua, Taca. Recognizing something was wrong, the small dog darted toward the other bedroom where William slept. Taca knew William's room was off limits and had never stretched a paw across the doorway. This time however, the 11-year-old Chihuahua ran to William's bed and touched it. William woke and hurried into Lillian's bedroom and saw his wife face down on the floor. William turned her over and dialed 911. Twenty years ago As Lillian recovered in the hospital, an incident that happened when she was a teacher at Morgan Elementary in Ross Twp. came rushing back to her. It was sometime in the late 1980s, Lillian explained. She cannot remember the exact day or year, but she remembers the name of the young girl. Fifth-grader Kelly Vanderyte was eating in the cafeteria when a piece of chicken slipped down her throat. On duty, Lillian rushed to the girl and attempted to give her the Heimlich Maneuver. "I knew how to give the Heimlich, but it wasn't coming out," Lillian said. "So I started getting frantic and started hitting her in the lower back and it came out." Nine years ago, Lillian and William's dog passed away leaving a hole in their hearts. Searching for a new companion, they contacted a friend who was a veterinarian. The family friend told them of a woman who had a 2-year-old Chihuahua. After arrangements were made, the Davis family visited the home to adopt the dog. When the door opened, a familiar face greeted Lillian. It was Kelly Vanderyte. "We didn't know everybody was going to know each other," Lillian said. Pondering it all When Lillian reached the hospital, doctors discovered she was severely dehydrated. Additionally, her blood pressure and potassium levels were very low. The fall in her bedroom had left her with a bruised rib and a bump on her forehead. Lillian said the blackout stemmed from a new medication she was taking. While Lillian was in the hospital, Taca sat at home waiting. William said she peered out the window for days hoping her master would soon return home. "She sat there and looked out that window," William said pointing near the front door. "She sat there Thursday, Friday and (part of) Saturday. She wouldn't eat." After days of waiting, Lillian's son hid Taca in a laundry basket and brought her to the hospital. They went home together later that day, and they were reunited for good. Lillian said she has been in contact with Kelly Vanderyte's father about Taca's heroic deed. She hasn't spoken to Kelly but plans to do so soon. Thinking back, Lillian said she is sometimes left speechless about the whole series of events. "It's amazing how smart dogs are," Lillian said. "I could have very well died if they didn't get to me in time ... I'm still pondering over it all. It's a miracle."
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