Locally famous dog becomes hero after rescuing owner
Posted January 2, 2025 3:13 pm.
A local corgi with over 13,000 followers on social media is being hailed a hero after a normal morning walk on the weekend turned into a dangerous accident.
The corgi’s owner, Jess Parker, took a step in the wrong direction, slipping on a muddy part of the sidewalk on Dec. 28.
“I heard and felt this loud crack, I knew immediately something had happened, I looked at my foot and it was facing the wrong direction and no longer attached to my leg,” Parker told CityNews Kitchener in an interview.
Without a cell phone, Parker began yelling for help, which is when Waldo, her corgi, kicked into gear. The nine-year-old dog gave her a quick kiss before running off, causing concern for not just her safety, but his.
As Parker lay helpless on her back, she saw Waldo do something unexpected.
He began tugging at the pant leg of a stranger about to hop into their car. The stranger saw Parker and walked toward her as Waldo led the way barking. As that person called for an ambulance, Waldo took off running again.
“In the back of my head I’m thinking ‘Where’s my dog, is he okay? I hope he doesn’t get hit by a car.’ Sure enough, moments later, he comes around the fence with my landlord and comes back and kisses my face again,” said Parker.
The pair had passed Parker’s landlord previously on the morning walk, saying “hi” as they typically do, which is how Parker believes Waldo knew where to go.
“It’s nice to know when something happens, he’s got my back,” she said.
Parker was taken to a local hospital where she had to get surgery for her broken foot.
“They were worried that because there’s no blood flowing to my foot, so if that lasts for too long I could have lost my foot,” mentioned Parker.
She will be resting at home, recovering from surgery alongside her husband, cat, while spoiling her furry hero.
“He did the exact right thing, which was incredible.”
Parked added how crazy one step in the wrong direction can change a moment so quickly. She’s grateful for Waldo’s efforts that day, but they didn’t come as too much of a shock since her pooch is known for being a very social and smart dog.
Waldo has gained some local fans and is known for being “that corgi in lederhosen” during Oktoberfest celebrations.
