Flight Attendants Break Protocol To Save Dog’s Life By Giving Her Oxygen Mask

The Everyday Jumpseater/Facebook

With so many horrible things happening in the world, it’s always cheering to see people put kindness before protocol.

Staff aboard a JetBlue flight have done just this, helping out a little French bulldog in distress, and potentially saving her life.

All thanks to angels of the sky, Renaud Spencer and Diane Asher, adorable pup Darcy has made a full recovery. And her relieved human mummy, Michele Burt, couldn’t be more grateful.

The Everyday Jumpseater/Facebook

The problems started during a flight from Orlando, Florida, to Worcester, Massachusetts on July 5.

Michele had flown with three-year-old Darcy before, but something was seriously off. The usually obedient Darcy didn’t lie down when instructed to, instead pushing her head against the mesh part of the carrier.

When Michele checked her beloved pet over, she noticed her tongue was blue; a symptom of insufficient oxygen (Hypoxia).

Pulling Darcy onto her lap in a bid to relax and cool her, Michele became greatly concerned by her pooch’s heavy breathing and panicked state.

The Everyday Jumpseater/Facebook

Airlines are usually very strict about keeping pets under seats. However, heroic Renaud and Diane knew Darcy was not herself, and set about helping Michele take care of her poorly pet.

The caring staff members brought over bags of ice to try and cool down poor Darcy. However, this didn’t work and it was clear more was needed to be done.

Renaud – who is himself the proud owner of French bulldog, Penelope – showed great initiative when he suggested using an oxygen mask to help with Darcy’s breathing.

Darcy responded well to this, and within a few short minutes no longer needed the mask. What a brave girl!

Wikipedia

Michele wrote the following message of thanks, which was later shared by a friend on Facebook:

I believe Renaud and Diane saved a life, some may reduce the value of the life because Darcy is a canine, I do not.

The family seated behind us offered help and baby wipes and the little boy in the seat watched as the flight Attendants helped an animal in distress, and said as he deplaned “I am glad they helped her get better.”

Fred Rogers said “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’

To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.

Pixabay

She added:

Renaud Spencer and Diane Asher were the helpers today. It may have been only a “dog” to some, not a major disaster certainly, but a family member to us.

Goodness and kindness along with the ability to assess a medical crisis, albeit a canine in crisis saved the day. But the little boy in the seat behind Darcy was paying close attention.

Darcy has made a complete recovery and I will confirm with my vet and will not fly with her in the future without my vets clearance.

But I wanted to say thank you Jetblue and thank you to Renaud and Diane for doing their job and also being great humans.

JetBlue have given the following statement in response:

We all want to make sure everyone has a safe and comfortable flight, including those with four legs.

We’re thankful for our crew’s quick thinking and glad everyone involved was breathing easier when the plane landed in Worcester.

Well done Renaud and Diane, truly two friends of sky-doggos everywhere!

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Julia Banim

Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.