Random Acts of Kindness

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Dog walker averts disaster

By: Random Acts of Kindness

Posted: 04/21/2011 6:03 PM | Comments: 0

I was walking my dog when I came across an icy patch of sidewalk on Red River Boulevard.

I slipped on the ice and came crashing down on my left knee. I knew the second I hit the sidewalk that I wasn’t getting up again. I heard the crack, and the pain was excruciating.

The temperature was around minus 20 degrees, and the sun was going down. I lay there for some time and was beginning to get quite cold, and still there was no one in sight.

The snow was piled two metres high on the road side of the walk and there was a park on the other side so there was no way anyone could see me on the ground. This was not the best time to have forgotten my cellphone at home.

Two young boys happened by and they tried to help, but they could not find anyone around either.

Finally a person came by walking her dog, and I was able to call out for help. She lived close by and ran home to get her cellphone and call 911. She returned with her husband and some blankets to keep me warm until the fire truck and ambulance came. She also was able to call my wife and let her know the situation.

If she had not come by when she did, I would have certainly gone into hypothermia and possibly worse. I was taken to hospital and operated on the next morning for a broken kneecap.

We were able to return the couple’s blankets and bought them a big fruit basket as thanks for their kindness. But somehow it doesn’t seem enough for what they did for me.

Thank you neighbours. Thank you as a fellow dog walker.

— Ron Harrod

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