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Support
dog helps save his master's marriage
A
SUPPORT dog helped to save a Gulf War’s marriage after
his master suffered severe amnesia after an accident during
the conflict.
Allen Parton had no memory of marrying his wife Sandra 19 years
ago, but exchanged new wedding rings with Sandra, at a hotel
in Liphook, Hants, last weekend.
Mr Parton, 43, said he wished to create new memories with the
woman he married in 1983. "I have grown to love the same
woman twice," he said. "I want to have memories of
seeing my wife walking up the aisle. I have no memories of the
first time it happened."
Mrs Parton said the wedding was her idea: "Allen would
always tell people he didn't have a history and it bothered
me. We often talked about renewing our vows before the accident."
In 1991, Mr Parton, a chief petty officer on board the Royal
Navy destroyer Glasgow, suffered head injuries during a car
accident. He spent three years in hospital unable to walk, talk
or recognise his family. He could not remember Mrs Parton, 43,
or the births of their children Liam, 17 and Zoe, 16.
Also at Saturday's ceremony was Mr Parton's pet labrador, Endal.
Mr Parton, who uses a wheelchair, credits Endal with his successful
recovery and said he was a "lost man" until he met
the dog in 1998.
Endal performs a lifesaving role as an Assistance Dog and is
trained to cover his master with a blanket when he suffers from
the occasional blackout.
Confidence
"I had become bitter and twisted after what had happened
to me in the Gulf and my wife and I were close to splitting
up. But Endal gave me new confidence and gradually he brought
me back to my family."
Mrs Parton said she considered divorce, but Endal saved their
marriage by helping with daily tasks.
For example, Mr Parton would touch his face and Endal would
fetch his razor.
Then in May 2001, Endal was credited with saving his life when
Mr Parton was knocked unconscious by a car outside a Birmingham
hotel. Endal covered Mr Parton with blanket, pushed a mobile
phone to his face and alerted hotel staff.
On Wednesday, of this week, Princess Alexandra rewarded him
for his bravery with the canine equivalent of the George Cross
at a ceremony organised by the People's Dispensary for Sick
Animals.
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