If there’s anything to say about flight crews, it’s that they are incredibly underrated for their many job duties. There are moments where airplane staff calmly help instruct flyers on what to do during an emergency. They also have the capability to keep scared children tranquil on their first flight. The relaxed, patient, yet serious personalities of flight crews is something we can be thankful for in many situations.
In this viral story, we again realize how amazing flight staff really are. Plus, it just might leave your heart a bit softer and your eyes a touch watery!
A Jet Blue flight crew saved the day when flyers Michele and Steven Burt’s three-year-old French bulldog, Darcy, began to display signs of oxygen deprivation on a Thursday night flight from Florida to Massachusetts.
During the flight, the couple noticed the dog’s tongue and gums started to turn blue and that she began to gasp desperately for air.
However, two flight attendants quickly tended to the situation, placing an oxygen mask over the dog’s short snout. Shortly after, the pup began to show physical signs of recovery just by looking at her eyes that instantly perked up in relief. Michele and Steven were incredibly thankful for the staff who knew exactly what to do in the situation without hesitation. They give credit to these two attendants for saving sweet Darcy’s life.
However, it is important to note that short-nosed canines, such as bulldogs, can have breathing difficulties in the warmer months, especially when in higher altitudes, due to the change in air quality.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), other dogs with shorter muzzles such as Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, pugs, boxers, among other breeds are “more likely to die on airplanes” than their longer-muzzled counterparts. In fact, during one five-year period, 122 dogs died during air flight with half of those dogs being short-nosed dogs. Due to this, several airlines have even banned brachycephalic breeds from flying altogether.
While thousands of animals fly on an annual basis, there is still a risk important to make note of just to be on the safe side. That said, if you do fly with your pet, short-nosed or not, pay close attention to any concerning symptoms.
Fortunately, Darcy, the French bulldog is doing very well since her airplane fright!
Watch the footage below to learn more about Darcy’s scary plane experience followed by her rescue.
