One evening in front of the television, in Essex (England), an almost new hot water bottle exploded behind Christian Barker's back and sprayed his dog, Peaches, with boiling water. Focused entirely on his dog, this man put her under cold water then took the road to an emergency veterinary clinic, without realizing that he was seriously burned himself. His story, relayed by the Daily Mirrorends with a double convalescence.
A hot water bottle split in two
The accident dates back to October of the previous year, according to Lorrainethe wife of Christian. That evening, the man was watching television with Peachesa hot water bottle held behind the back to relieve sciatica. This long, thin model, which many people use for back pain, was almost new. However, it burst suddenly, splitting in two along its entire length.
Filled with boiling water, the pouch splashed the Cavapoo, who let out a cry of pain and soiled herself in shock. Christian immediately grabbed it to soak it under cold water in the kitchen, before running towards the emergency clinic Vets Nowthat Lorraine had warned by telephone. In his rush, he did not realize that he was burning himself, nor that his injuries were continuing to get worse.
“ All I could think about was Peaches. I felt so guilty that she was hurt, I felt like it was all my fault. »
After 15 to 20 minutes of driving, excruciating pain gripped his right thigh. He had felt tingling before, but, his mind confused by the events, he put it down to his wet clothes.
A second unexpected patient
At the clinic, the team took Peaches to treat his burns without delay. It was at that moment that Christian took stock of his own injuries: his clothes stuck to his inflamed skin and he began to remove them frantically. Sophie Watsona veterinary nurse and rescuer, led him to the staff shower, where he could splash himself with cool water out of sight.
In 25 years of career in a veterinary clinic, she had already had to help humans, never in such a critical situation: from the chest to the right side, the skin of Christian was completely scalded and blistering visibly. She dialed 999, but no ambulance was available, so her uncle Christian and his wife took charge of taking him to the emergency room.
For an hour and a half, he took a shower to contain his burns, constantly asking for news of his dog.
“ We meet a lot of very devoted owners, but I don't think I've ever seen one as visibly attached to their animal as Christian. »
Lacking any clothes to put on him, the team dressed him in a blue gown, the kind the clinic uses to operate on animals, then moved the car to a side door so he wouldn't have to walk through reception half-dressed.
Meanwhile, his colleagues administered Peaches painkillers and an IV, while continuing to cool his skin. Christianhe joined the hospitalIpswichwhere burn specialists wrapped his wounds in layers of cling film before removing the scalded skin. Very painful, he admits, but he knew he was in good hands.
A cure far from being acquired
After a night of observation, Peaches was able to leave the clinic at 8 a.m. the next morning, not without having eaten a little chicken. His shaved hair revealed very large burns all over his left side. Christian returned home the same day. He says he almost burst into tears when he saw his dog again: the team had kept her alive, but they had warned Lorrainebluntly, that healing was not guaranteed.
After a day or two at home, the dog's condition deteriorated: she refused to eat or drink, and we had to give her water from a syringe and feed her by hand. Then, day after day, Peaches regained strength, while Christian he was also doing better. “ Our two healings sort of responded to each other, which seems very fitting. », he observes.
Hot water bottles banned from the house
Peaches has now become herself again: she runs after her ball and, back on the sofa with Christianbarks at his favorite TV sequence, a commercial for dog food. Christian has resumed his role as a full-time caregiver to Lorrainesuffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
The family threw away all their hot water bottles and will never keep one in their home again. Lorraine describes memories that are still vivid, as if everything had happened the day before, and an intact gratitude towards Sophie and his colleagues.
“ In our hour of need, they saved my husband, and they saved my dog. »
Sophierecently distinguished by an award Vets Now of “ customer star » for his work with Christianspeaks of a collective effort and describes Peaches like an adorable little character, very courageous to boot. A happy outcome, she says, that the whole team treasures.
