Heroes Come in All Shapes & Sizes

“The dog saved my life!” Said a 61-year-old blind man, Cecil Williams, from his hospital bed.

Meet Orlando! A 11 year old black Labrador who is trained to protect. Orlando is Williams faithful guide dog. “(He) gets me around and saves my life on a daily basis.”

Williams was on his way to the dentist Tuesday morning during the rush when he lost consciousness and tumbled into the tracks at the A train platform at 125th Street. His trusted guide Lab bravely leaped in after him in front of an oncoming train.

Williams and Orlando both escaped serious injury when the train passed over top of them.

“He tried to hold me up,” an emotional Williams told The Associated Press, his voice breaking at times.

Witnesses said Orlando began barking frantically and tried to stop Williams from falling from the platform. Matthew Martin told the New York Post that Orlando jumped down and tried to rouse Williams even as a train approached.

“He was kissing him, trying to get him to move,” Martin said.

Witnesses called for help and the train’s motorman slowed his approach as Williams and Orlando lay in the trench between the rails. Thanks to an MTA worker calling repeatedly to lower his head. Between them, there was just a single laceration on the man’s head.

Here’s where the story gets sad.

Orlando, who lives in Brooklyn, will be 11 on Jan. 5, and will be forced to retire soon. Williams’ medical benefits will cover a new guide dog but won’t pay for a non-working dog, so Orlando will have to move on from the man he clearly loves.

Williams said, “I would definitely keep him” if he had enough money.

Orlando deserves better! He deserves to stay with the man he risked his life for. Perhaps if we band together, we can help raise enough money for these two to stay together.

Editor’s note: Over $50,000 has been raised in the past 2 days so Orlando gets to stay where he belongs!

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131218/morningside-heights/donations-pour-from-acros-country-for-blind-man-dog