Blind man, guide dog survive subway track fall

[Snowboarder_Bo]

[

The black Lab bravely leapt on to the tracks at a Manhattan subway platform Tuesday after his blind owner lost consciousness and tumbled in front of an oncoming train.

Cecil Williams, 61, and Orlando both escaped serious injury when the train passed over top of them - a miraculous end to a harrowing ordeal that began when Williams began to feel faint on his way to the dentist.

“He tried to hold me up,” the emotional Williams told The Associated Press from his hospital bed, 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 lie in the trench between the rails.

“The dog saved my life,” Williams said.

](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BLIND_MAN_SUBWAY_FALL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-17-20-37-58)

The story does have a sad ending, sorta:

Williams, of Brooklyn, has been blind since 1995, and Orlando is his second dog. The lab will be 11 on Jan. 5, and will be retiring soon, Williams said. His medical benefits will cover a new guide dog but won’t pay for a non-working dog, so he’ll be looking for a good home for Orlando.

If he had the money, Williams said, “I would definitely keep him.”

If there was a fund to help this guy keep his dog, I’d contribute a few bucks.

[aruvqan]

Hell, me too. How much would it cost for him to get to keep his pup?

And the relatively short working life of a helping dog is why I am very reluctant to get one - I tend to fall in love with animals - I have trouble with the idea of bonding with one and having to give them up.

[Motorgirl]

The crowdfunding campaign has apparently met its $50k goal, but you could still give if you wanted to.

[Unauthorized_Cinnamon]

First, let me say I have major warm fuzzies about him getting to keep his friend even once he can’t be a working dog anymore. And I realize on reading the story that he fell, then the dog leapt to his aid.

However, when I read the thread title, I immediately imagined someone scolding the dog: “You had ONE job!”

[Voyager]

It would be great if he could keep the dog, though the dog won’t have the same kind of life he did before. But don’t feel sorry for the dog - the demand for retired dogs is very high.
My dog is a retired guide, though she was a breeder, and never worked with a blind person.

[cochrane]

@Motorgirl

The crowdfunding campaign has apparently met its $50k goal, but you could still give if you wanted to.

It’s up to $64,000 now. This is very heartwarming. I hope it reaches $200,000. Orlando deserves to live the rest of his life at his master’s feet. I hope he gets to enjoy his retirement for many more years as reward for a life spent in service to his owner.

[Jackmannii]

Dogs are good people.

[CatherineZeta]

I’m glad this story had a happy ending and that Orlando will get to stay with Williams! I was on a train behind the one that nearly hit him- the conductor stopped the train and made an announcement about a “passenger injury.” If I hadn’t moved on Sunday meaning I take the train from 145th St. now instead of 125th St. I would most likely have been on the platform when this happened.