A Lhasa Apso is being hailed as a hero by his elderly parents Derek Ramsden, 81 and Ada Ramsden, 71  after the small dog came to the rescue of Derek who fell down an embankment while out on a walk. The Ramsdens were vacationing in Wales and Derek had taken their two dogs Toby, a 7-year-old Lhaso Apso, and Bruno an 18-year-old Staffie cross, for a walk in the nearby park.

They were out in Brynowen Holiday Park, Borth, Aberystwyth, when Derek slipped and fell down near a bridge, onto a steep muddy embankment. Derek said, "I managed to get hold of a railing on the bridge. It was frightening. I could not get out and you can't hold your grip for long at my age." 

Toby knew right away his owner was in trouble and ran a quarter of a mile down the road to a nearby security office outside of the park. Two park workers had seen Derek and his dogs walk by earlier and knew something was wrong. Toby barked to get their attention and the two men followed Toby as he lead them directly to where Derek had fallen. 

Meanwhile, Ada had grown concerned for her husband after an hour and headed towards the park, where she met up with Derek and the park workers who had pulled him to safety. "He was covered in mud from head to foot. If he had let go he could have slipped down further. Toby saved him." she said.

"Toby is dedicated to both of us and I think he is a hero," said Derek.

Via the Halifax Courier

• Lhasa Apso
• Wales