Trailblazing Chihuahua Led Searchers to Lost Owner TINY PUP, BIG HERO
DECEMBER DAN Dodge Impaired Driving Th
The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, but it can also bring tragedies that can change lives forever.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and for good reason. Sadly, more drunk-driving-related fatalities occur in December than at any other time of year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 1,100 people in the U.S. were killed in drunk driving accidents in December 2022 alone, the highest number of fatalities on record since December 2007. These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence. Although alcohol-related accidents are on the rise, collisions caused by drivers impaired by other substances are equally concerning. Based on studies conducted by NHTSA between 2019 and 2021, approximately 25% of all drivers being treated in trauma centers had THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in their systems. The National Safety Council (NSC) warns that opioids, various over-the-counter medications, fatigue, and even stress can also impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely and adhere to traffic laws.
When 85-year-old Barbara Crosby went missing in the California wilderness, no one expected her travel companion, her loyal dog Pancho, would become her savior. Spotted by residents in the area, the adventurous pup led rescuers straight to his owner, navigating a steep embankment that could have spelled disaster.
The pair went missing on an early Saturday morning when Barbara, who has dementia, wandered away from her senior living home with the Chihuahua mix. Search and rescue teams immediately began
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to look for the at-risk adult but saw no sign of her throughout the day. As they were about to pack up for the night, multiple residents reported that they had spotted Pancho in the area. Thanks to details from these glimpses of the would-be hero, rescue crews could pinpoint Pancho’s travel path, which led down a 70- foot steep embankment off the road. After hiking to the bottom, they found him hiding under some brush and followed him to where Barbara lay sleeping nearby. Due to the rugged terrain, the team had to utilize a litter and rope system to lift Barbara to safety and promptly take her to a nearby hospital. Though she was no longer in harm’s way, the crews couldn’t stop to celebrate too long. Pancho pulled a hound-ini act and ran off before rescuers could lift him out. Residents spotted the runaway dog the next day, just a short distance away. Dehydrated and exhausted from the ordeal, Pancho was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and is back to his old self. The county sheriff’s office recognized Pancho’s life-saving act in a special thank-you online, stating that his “loyalty and presence near Barbara’s location helped lead us to her, truly the unsung hero of this rescue.” They also thanked the search and rescue crews and the community members who shared their Pancho sightings. This Chihuahua’s keen instincts guided rescuers through tricky terrain, proving heroes come in all sizes. Thankfully, this duo’s adventure ended in tail wags and plenty of treats.
Few things are more devastating than the broken bond of trust between a patient and a doctor or other health care provider.
Medical professionals have a legal duty to provide care that meets the accepted standards of their specialty. Unfortunately, medical malpractice can and does occur, leaving patients with serious or fatal injuries and prompting legal remedies for these miscarriages of care. Here are four common errors that often lead our firm to pursue medical malpractice cases. SURGICAL ERRORS Errors made during surgical procedures include damaging or severing nerves, puncturing or otherwise damaging a neighboring organ, leaving a sponge or another object in the body, failing to treat infections, or performing procedures for which consent was not given. NEGLIGENCE IN PRENATAL CARE OR DELIVERY Birth injuries may occur if the medical provider was negligent in identifying critical health dangers for the mother or baby, or was too forceful or used inappropriate methods during the delivery.
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