Hazel Parkyn of Dorset, England, has type 1 diabetes, and if her blood sugar drops too low, she can go into seizures or even fall into a coma. Unfortunately, complicating the matter was that Hazel’s husband, Darren, often had to work night shifts, which made nights somewhat risky for Hazel. Thankfully, an unlikely helper was nearby: her cat Walter. The first time her sugar got low and Walter woke her up, Hazel didn’t understand what was going on.
Hazel said,”The first time he helped me out, he was smacking me around the face with his paw.” Her cat was so persistent that she finally turned her light on, and when she did, she noticed how blurry the room was. She thought her blood sugar must be low, and it turned out it was at a potentially life-threatening level. It was then that she became aware of what Walter was trying to tell her. Since then, Walter has done the same thing over and over, and he now stays by her side at night to be her warning system.
Studies have shown that cats’ sense of smell is 14 times stronger than humans. The chemical change that can happen in a diabetic is too subtle for our nose, but it is likely cats can detect it. “When Walter comes in at night and settles on the bed,” Hazel said,” I feel safe.” As of 2020, Walter has saved Hazel’s life over 50 times.
DETAILS OF ARTWORK
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
Hazel Parkyn of Dorset, England, has type 1 diabetes, and if her blood sugar drops too low, she can go into seizures or even fall into a coma. Unfortunately, complicating the matter was that Hazel’s husband, Darren, often had to work night shifts, which made nights somewhat risky for Hazel. Thankfully, an unlikely helper was nearby: her cat Walter. The first time her sugar got low and Walter woke her up, Hazel didn’t understand what was going on.
Hazel said,”The first time he helped me out, he was smacking me around the face with his paw.” Her cat was so persistent that she finally turned her light on, and when she did, she noticed how blurry the room was. She thought her blood sugar must be low, and it turned out it was at a potentially life-threatening level. It was then that she became aware of what Walter was trying to tell her. Since then, Walter has done the same thing over and over, and he now stays by her side at night to be her warning system.
Studies have shown that cats’ sense of smell is 14 times stronger than humans. The chemical change that can happen in a diabetic is too subtle for our nose, but it is likely cats can detect it. “When Walter comes in at night and settles on the bed,” Hazel said,” I feel safe.” As of 2020, Walter has saved Hazel’s life over 50 times.
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
In 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria tore through the small Alaskan town of Nome. The closest point that antitoxin was available was 674 miles away. 20 of the most respected dogsled mushers were chosen to transport the antitoxin to Nome in a 5 day relay.
Leonhard Seppala was to undertake the longest and most dangerous part of the journey with his 12 year husky, Togo, as his lead dog. Seppala and Togo faced average temperatures of minus 30 degrees, with temperatures falling as low as minus 85 degrees in the gale force winds. When their sled was almost across the Norton sound, they found themselves stranded on an ice floe. Tying a lead to Togo, Seppala tossed Togo over five feet of freezing water to shore. Amazingly, Togo could then pull Seppala and his entire team to safety. Togo and Seppala traversed an astounding total of 264 miles.
The mushers and their dogs completed the Serum Run in 5 and a half days without one single vial broken, saving Nome.
DETAILS OF ARTWORK
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
In 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria tore through the small Alaskan town of Nome. The closest point that antitoxin was available was 674 miles away. 20 of the most respected dogsled mushers were chosen to transport the antitoxin to Nome in a 5 day relay.
Leonhard Seppala was to undertake the longest and most dangerous part of the journey with his 12 year husky, Togo, as his lead dog. Seppala and Togo faced average temperatures of minus 30 degrees, with temperatures falling as low as minus 85 degrees in the gale force winds. When their sled was almost across the Norton sound, they found themselves stranded on an ice floe. Tying a lead to Togo, Seppala tossed Togo over five feet of freezing water to shore. Amazingly, Togo could then pull Seppala and his entire team to safety. Togo and Seppala traversed an astounding total of 264 miles.
The mushers and their dogs completed the Serum Run in 5 and a half days without one single vial broken, saving Nome.
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
Noel Osborne, a 78 year-old Australian farmer, had a terrible day. On an October day in 2002, while he was getting work done on his farm, one of his cows knocked Noel over a pile of manure, instantly breaking his hip. Immobilized and no way to call for help, Noel was trapped. For days, Noel was exposed to the scorching Australian heat and frigid nights. Fortunately, he wasn’t completely alone. Mandy, his nanny goat, heard him and came to be near.
The Mirror quoted Mr. Osbourne, saying: “That evening Mandy came, and I was able to get hold of an old bottle and I milked her into the bottle and I was able to have a drink. She slept there beside me every night I was there.” For 5 days Noel laid there, unable to get up and every night Mandy the goat stayed by him to keep warm.
Eventually, Noel was rescued by his friends and was taken to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.
DETAILS OF ARTWORK
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
Noel Osborne, a 78 year-old Australian farmer, had a terrible day. On an October day in 2002, while he was getting work done on his farm, one of his cows knocked Noel over a pile of manure, instantly breaking his hip. Immobilized and no way to call for help, Noel was trapped. For days, Noel was exposed to the scorching Australian heat and frigid nights. Fortunately, he wasn’t completely alone. Mandy, his nanny goat, heard him and came to be near.
The Mirror quoted Mr. Osbourne, saying: “That evening Mandy came, and I was able to get hold of an old bottle and I milked her into the bottle and I was able to have a drink. She slept there beside me every night I was there.” For 5 days Noel laid there, unable to get up and every night Mandy the goat stayed by him to keep warm.
Eventually, Noel was rescued by his friends and was taken to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
February 16th, 2004, on a farm near Woodville, New Zealand, there were devastating floods in the Manawatū and Rangitīkei regions. The river began to envelop her farm, and Kim Riley and her husband woke to get their herds up to higher ground. Separated from the other hands, Kim soon found herself and her herd swept up and floating down the current of the rising floodwaters.
Treading in the current for 40 minutes, Kim noticed the cows were heading towards an accessible dry section of land. Trying to follow their example and swim across the current to shore, Kim became
exhausted, and looked around for something to grab on to. That’s when she saw Cow 569 swimming directly towards her. Grabbing her mane, Cow 569 carried Kim safely to dry land. After coming ashore Kim was in shock, couldn’t stand, and was eventually found by her husband. Kim says she owes her life to Cow 569. “She was always number 569 to us. We never considered giving her another name, but she was more than a number. She was special.”
DETAILS OF ARTWORK
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
February 16th, 2004, on a farm near Woodville, New Zealand, there were devastating floods in the Manawatū and Rangitīkei regions. The river began to envelop her farm, and Kim Riley and her husband woke to get their herds up to higher ground. Separated from the other hands, Kim soon found herself and her herd swept up and floating down the current of the rising floodwaters.
Treading in the current for 40 minutes, Kim noticed the cows were heading towards an accessible dry section of land. Trying to follow their example and swim across the current to shore, Kim became
exhausted, and looked around for something to grab on to. That’s when she saw Cow 569 swimming directly towards her. Grabbing her mane, Cow 569 carried Kim safely to dry land. After coming ashore Kim was in shock, couldn’t stand, and was eventually found by her husband. Kim says she owes her life to Cow 569. “She was always number 569 to us. We never considered giving her another name, but she was more than a number. She was special.”
Acrylic and oil on panel in a heavy wood frame with vintage brass plaque • 8”w x 10”h (framed 14″w x 16″h)
