Gold Coast celebrity pup Princess Pookie saves a life

WELL-KNOWN Gold Coast dog Princess Pookie has been hailed a hero after she rescued an unconscious elderly woman.

Princess Pookie saved a Carol Hayes, 78, after she fell. Picture: Jerad Williams

WELL-KNOWN Gold Coast dog Princess Pookie has added another title to her vast collection — hero.

The elderly pooch, which spends her days with residents at De Paul Villa nursing home at Ashmore and nights with Southport city councillor Dawn Crichlow, helped rescue an unconscious Carol Hayes two weeks ago.

Princess Pookie with Carol Hayes. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Hayes, 78, said she was on her regular morning walk with her two small dogs when she saw a toad on the path.

“I took a step back and my knee collapsed,” the De Paul Manor resident said.

“I was knocked out or maybe I passed out. My two dogs sat next to me and waited.

“Princess Pookie was in the (De Paul Villa) office, not too far away and she saw me lying on the ground.”

Carol Hayes with Councillor Dawn Crichlow and Princess Pookie. Picture: Jerad Williams

Cr Crichlow said the plucky pup was “barking and barking at the gate and the nurse said ‘come on Pookie’ but she kept at it.

“They found (Ms Hayes). She had to go in the ambulance, but she’s OK now.”

Princess Pookie. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Hayes said she was ”very fortunate” Pookie had seen her because she had fallen at the end of the road where there was a lot of shrubbery.

“The staff think Pookie is special.

Carol Hayes. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I think she gets all the attention she needs every day.”

Pookie, who was dubbed a Princess by a Waitangi chief visiting from New Zealand, is also a member of the CWA, and Southport bowls and fishing clubs.