Audrey Stone, who was lying in a hospital bed high in the Danbury Hospital tower, spoke quietly about her six-year companion, Figo, the 8-year-old golden retriever who jumped between the legally blind woman and an oncoming mini-school bus in Brewster on Monday.
"He needs the Purple Heart from the president," Stone jokingly stated.
Stone's third service dog, Figo (pronounced FEE-go), is a product of Smithtown's Guide Dog Foundation. Buddy, a black Labrador, and Leilani, a golden, had gone ahead of him.
"We clicked right away," Stone said of her first meeting with Figo.
"He is defended, loved, and defended by me." Simply put, we have a strong bond." Stone reported that sensors were monitoring her vital signs. She has three cracked ribs, a broken foot, and a shattered elbow, according to doctors.Stone and Figo were on their way home on North Main Street, across from the firehouse, following their "regular daily stroll" into Brewster. "I gave him the instruction to cross the street," Stone alleged when they arrived at Michael Neuner Drive.
"'Fast forward,' I said. And we were in the middle of the street, and everything happened so fast, but several people reported he just jumped in front of the bus." Stone is adamant.
The mini-school bus from Brewster Schools was taking two kindergartners to St. Lawrence O'Toole Childhood Learning Centre. The motorist, who was pulled over for an investigation, never saw Stone or her dog.
Stone, who has weak vision, claimed she doesn't recall much of the crash save for one image: a wounded Figo crawling to her side, his mangled right paw raised.
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"I had a feeling he'd be in a lot of agony," Stone added. "I remember seeing him, and his paw was dripping wet as he came over to me."
"I could see he was in pain, and I was in shock." "I had the appearance of a battleground," she said. "I recall Figo standing there gazing at me, wanting to come close to me, but he didn't know what to do since he knew I was hurt."
Middlebranch Veterinary in Southeast performed surgery on Figo to close a laceration on his right front leg. Figo's leg is in a sling, and he is on the mend, according to a staff member.
When Stone and Figo's story was published on Monday, it instantly went viral, with news outlets rushing to feature the service dog whose actions saved a tragic end. Lohud.com readers in Atlanta and North Dakota contacted us to express their support.
Those closer to home are also sending their best wishes.
On Tuesday, Pastor Jennifer Boyd paid a visit to Stone in the hospital and took calls from well-wishers and the national media. Stone, according to Boyd, attends Trinity Lutheran Church, as does Figo, who goes up for communion but declines it.
Boyd was shocked to learn of the incident.
"They walk there on a regular basis." "It's a common path for them," Boyd stated. "And I'm well aware of Audrey and Figo's friendship." It is difficult to tell them apart in this way. I understand that he must remain where he is in order to heal, and she must remain where she is in order to recover, but the sooner we can bring them together, the better for both of them."
Doctors want to keep an eye on her, so she will have another surgery and then rehab, according to Stone. She has no idea when she will be able to spend time with her four-legged constant buddy again.
"I would have been heartbroken if he had been murdered," Stone says emphatically. She did, however, mention that they both lived to tell the tale.
"I'm not surprised he did that," Stone responded. "At the grocery store, he'll move between me and my cart to prevent a shopping cart from rolling down the aisle." That's something he's done before for me."
She had anticipated receiving a different form of medical therapy on Monday.
"I was meant to have surgery on an infected tooth," she said with a laugh. "Did I have a legitimate reason to miss it?" she questioned.