"Whizz's life was utterly devoted to saving and enriching the lives of the humans he met."

Newfoundland saved 10 lives during his rescue career
 
A courageous water rescue dog has received the animal equivalent of an OBE after he saved nine people and one dog during his 10-year career.

Newfoundland dog Whizz spent most of his life patrolling the Bristol Channel and the River Severn, after his owner David Pugh trained him to rescue people in peril from the water when he was just a year old.

He is only the third dog ever to receive the PDSA's Order of Merit (OBE), which is given to animals who show outstanding devotion to their owner or society.

Whizz sadly passed away earlier this month at the age of 12 and his award was received on his behalf by his cousin Tizz and owner David.

Among those who owe their lives to the gentle giant are two young girls who, in August 2008, persuaded their parents to buy them an inflatable dinghy during a day out at Oxwich Beach in Wales.

Panic set in when their parents realised they could no longer see them - the dinghy had drifted out to sea and a wave had thrown the girls out into the water. Whizz, along with a lifesaver, leapt from a lifeboat and pulled the little girls to safety.

On another occasion in 2007, Charlotte Burroughs became increasingly worried after her red setter dog Topper wandered off and got lost during a walk. On her way home, she bumped into David and Whizz.

"I don't know what prompted him," David explained, "but Whizz suddenly took off and started running towards a disused water treatment pool. He jumped in the water without hesitation, as was his nature.

"As Charlotte and I approached, we saw Topper in the water, struggling to get out as the sides were too slippery and steep and he'd hurt his legs trying to get free. Whizz pushed Topper towards me and I helped pull him onto dry land.

"There is no doubt that if Whizz hadn't acted when he did, Topper would have been in grave danger that day."

As well as his life-saving work as a water rescue dog, Whizz also enriched hundreds of lives by visiting children and adults in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices, in addition to servicemen injured in the line of duty.

Presenting his award, PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin, said: "Whizz's life was utterly devoted to saving and enriching the lives of the humans he met. His story embodies the enormous contribution that animals make to our lives.

"He is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the PDSA Order of Merit, which celebrates the outstanding devotion that Whizz displayed."

Whizz's owner David added: "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."

When David heard the PDSA were presenting Whizz with an OBE, he decided he wanted to do something in return, so a special fundraiser in aid of the PDSA will be held at the Docklands Scout Project on 5 September, 2016.

Image © PDSA