Labradoodle saves life after drawing owner to neighbour in distress

Dylan the labradoodle has been hailed a hero after ``saving the life'' of his elderly neighbour. Amaya Tasker of Manly, Australia, came home at around noon on September 3 after walking Dylan and allowed him to go off leash after she had parked the car in the garage. But instead of going straight upstairs to their first-floor unit, Dylan did a detour and stopped outside the apartment of 91-year-old Norma Nolan.

``He just went straight to Norma's door,'' Ms Tasker said. ``We don't even walk past her door when we come from the garage. He just would not come when I called him, and he's quite a well-behaved dog. He would not leave her door.'' Ms Tasker investigated and saw Mrs Nolan stick her fingers under the door.



Police, ambulance and firefighters were called and broke through the bedroom window because Mrs Nolan had collapsed next to the front door from a stroke. She could not speak. ``Who knows how long she would have been left there for if it wasn't for Dylan,'' Ms Tasker said. Mrs Nolan is in Manly Hospital while waiting for a bed at a rehabilitation unit.

Mrs Nolan's daughter Louise Coughlan said she was delighted to hear how Dylan came to her mother's aid. ``Dylan saved Mum's life,'' she said. ``She couldn't speak, she couldn't call out for help. He must have sensed that something was wrong.'' Ms Tasker said Dylan received ``a big bone and lots of cuddles'' as a reward for his heroic efforts. ``I'm very proud of him,'' she said. ``He's my wonder dog.''