Patrick the Maltese Shih tzu saved his injured owner after Toorak Gardens footpath fall

When an eastern suburbs mum tripped on a suburban footpath she broke so many bones she couldn’t move but her hero hound leapt into action.

When an eastern suburbs mum found herself seriously injured and unable to move on a suburban footpath, it was her hero pooch that saved her.

Patrick the super dog came to the rescue of his beloved owner Maria Capone after she suffered a nasty fall that left her with two broken bones.

Ms Capone was on her regular neighbourhood walk around Toorak Gardens when she tripped on pavers and fell on the footpath in February.

Her heroic Maltese Shih tzu instantly knew she needed help and sprung into action.

“He bolted straight for home and was trying to get attention and barking at the door,” Ms Capone said.

His initial call for help went unanswered so Patrick sprinted back to his immobile owner to check she was okay.

“He then ran back home where he managed to get attention,” Ms Capone said.

“I thought that was pretty clever.”

NOMINATE NOW: THE SEARCH FOR SA’S CUTEST DOG

Maria Capone and her life saving dog, Patrick at their home in Toorak Gardens. Picture: Tom Huntley

Patrick the Maltese Shih tzu saved his owner, Maria Capone. Picture: Supplied

In the moment, despite her painful right shoulder injury, Ms Capone admitted her greatest fear was for the safety of her pooch.

“I was concerned about letting go of the lead and him taking off or running onto the road,” she said.

Ms Capone, who has returned to work at Flinders Fertility this week, said Patrick’s brave act was not out of character.

She said her husband Guido and their two children, Isabella, 21, and Edward, 19, love him for his caring nature.

“He is very protective and very intuitive of people” she said.

Maria Capone says she couldn’t imagine life without her dog. Picture: Tom Huntley

The Capones spent years debating whether they should add a furry friend to their family, but eventually adopted Patrick in 2021 as seven week old puppy.

“I kind of never understood how people get so attached to their dog, but as soon as we got him it was the complete opposite,” his owner said.

“My husband was very hesitant about getting a dog even though he had grown up with them, but they are inseparable.

“We couldn’t live without him now.”

Describing their “most loving, loyal dog” as “distinguished and adorably good looking”, the Capones have entered Patrick in The Advertiser’s Cutest Dog Competition.

If you ask them, their brave boy “deserves the title hand down”.

Patrick is one of more than 170 entrants hoping to be crowed the state’s most adorable canine.

If you think you own the pawfect pooch there is still time to nominate, all you have to do is click here and fill out the form before 8am Tuesday, April 16.

Finalists will be put to a vote. You must be a digital subscriber to vote. One only vote per subscriber will be recorded.

The winner will be revealed at a later date.

Read the full terms and conditions here.

Originally published as Patrick the Maltese Shih tzu saved his injured owner after Toorak Gardens footpath fall