Michigan mom: Dog saved baby son from drowning

Patricia Drauch says black lab held baby on its back to keep him above water

MARCELLUS, Mich. – A mother in Cass County said the family dog saved her 14-month-old son from drowning in a pool over the weekend.

What happened

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It happened on Sunday afternoon on Maple Street in Marcellus, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Department.
The mother, 30-year-old Patricia Drauch, told deputies that she had been walking to her garage to get a shovel with her 14-month-old son Stanley toddling behind her. Upon reaching the garage, she found that Stanley was no longer following her.


---Stanley and his dog Bear

According to WOOD-TV, Drauch immediately began to search for Stanley and soon found him in the family pool. He was face-up, she told authorities, but he appeared to be blue. When she looked closer, she realized the lab named Bear was balancing Stanely on his back in the water.

Bear held up the baby long enough for Drauch to pull him from the water.

She tried to call 911 for help, but couldn't get cell phone reception. She gathered up her son and started to drive to the Marcellus Fire Department, which is about two miles from her house. While on the road, she was able to get through to 911 on her cell phone. While Drauch was on the phone with 911 dispatchers, Stanley regained consciousness.

SLIDESHOW: Mom says dog saved baby from drowning

Stanley's prognosis

Drauch soon arrived at the fire department, where emergency personnel examined Stanley, who was conscious, alert and in good condition. He was taken to a Three Rivers hospital by his parents to be checked out, but was soon released. Cass County Undersheriff Rick Behnke said though there were not witnesses, authorities did find vomit in the family car, which is consistent with what happens when water is ingested and then expelled.