Dog Saves Day, Then Has One

Every dog has its day. Thursday was Tori’s.

Tori, a 5-year-old sheltie mix, was presented a silver medal and a certificate by the Astoria Convalescent Hospital in Sylmar for saving the life of a patient who suffered a seizure at the facility in February.

Tori’s barking alerted nurses to the plight of Nancy Merritt, 50, who had collapsed in a hallway while staff members gathered in a dining hall.

Lita Joy Parker, the hospital’s director of activities, said the incident changed the lives of both dog and patient.

When hospital staff members adopted Tori from an animal shelter in January, she was shy, nervous and never barked.

Nonetheless, Parker said, all the patients loved the dog--all of them except Merritt. In fact, Merritt was so upset by Tori’s presence that she had been planning to move out of Astoria before her seizure, Parker said.

But, these days, the two are best of friends. Merritt has decided to stay, and Tori patrols the hallways like a security guard, ending each night in Merritt’s room, Parker said.

“The dog sleeps under her bed.”