Angie’s story: saved by her four-legged best friend

It was just a normal evening at home for Angie Randall. Having watched the 7pm ABC news, she was preparing to feed her beloved Golden Retriever, Emma, when she tripped over a door-stop and fell.

“There is a step down from my kitchen to the back patio where I keep the dog biscuits,” Angie said. “For as long as I can remember I have used an old-fashioned, cast-metal iron as a door stop and on this night, my back door was closed, so the iron was sitting next to the step.”

Angie didn’t see the iron, stepped on it and twisted her body as she fell onto her right side. Little did she know she had broken her hip and fractured her wrist.

“I was in dreadful pain and lay there for 20 minutes, just crying. I begged Emma to just stay with me, so she put her head on my chest and gently licked my tears.”

“To see if I could get back to the kitchen and my phone I tried to turn myself around, but there was no way I could lift myself over the step.”

“I put my arms around Emma and said ‘In Emmie, take me in!’ After a bit of straining, she pulled me over the step until the heel of my right shoe got stuck. With more encouragement she managed to drag me over the step and into the kitchen. Using my good hand and leg, I slid across to the charging cable and was able to reach my mobile where I called my neighbour Nami and friend Dave.”

Angie was sent to Epworth Richmond for emergency surgery and spent two weeks at Epworth Hawthorn for rehabilitation.
While in rehabilitation, her occupational therapist, Jacqui Harris, arranged for Emma to visit Angie which was a special moment that she was able to share with other patients.

“I don’t know what I would have done without Emma by my side, and great friends and neighbours to help me.”

“I was given outstanding care and received a smile from every single person who came into my room. It lifted my spirits so much and I’d like to thank the entire team at Epworth for such incredible care, especially Dr Brinda and Jacqui.”

“The camaraderie between patients at Epworth Hawthorn, so many with horrific injuries, and staff in the rehab sessions was a joy to be a part of”, Angie added.

Image 1: Angie with Emma, on her first night back at home 

Image 2: Angie with Emma and Epworth Rehabilitation staff: Occupational Therapist Jacqui Harris, Dr Brinda Thirugnanam and Nurse Unit Manager Deborah Lewis.