Dogs Who Save the Day: Meet Mr. Magoo
April 28, 2026
April 28 is National Superhero Day, and at the Canadian Kennel Club, we’re recognizing the real-life heroes in our community.
When Alberta resident Ross Schmidt suffered a massive heart attack in December 2022, he collapsed and lost consciousness in an unheated sunroom. With no one else around, help seemed out of reach.
But Mr. Magoo knew something was wrong.
Magoo, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever bred and owned by Ross under the LivingSkies prefix, even knew how to open door handles. He made his way out of the house, crossed the street, and found a neighbour.
Sensing the urgency, he began pulling them toward the home. The neighbour followed, knowing the dogs would not be outside alone unless something was wrong.
Magoo led them directly to Ross.
Emergency responders were called immediately. When they arrived, Ross had only a faint pulse and required defibrillation before being transported by air ambulance for emergency surgery.
Thanks to Magoo’s quick thinking and determination, help arrived just in time.
Stories like this are a powerful reminder of the deep bond between people and their dogs, and the extraordinary ways they show up for us when it matters most.
We were blown away by the incredible stories shared by CKC members. This is just the beginning. More heroic dog stories are coming soon.
The opinions expressed by authors on the Canadian Kennel Club Blog and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of the Canadian Kennel Club or any of its employees.
Les opinions et les commentaires exprimés dans le blogue du Club Canin Canadien sont ceux des auteurs et ils ne reflètent pas les opinions du Club Canin Canadien ni de ses employés.
Maddie Demarte
Maddie Demarte is the Social Media and Communications Lead at the Canadian Kennel Club, where she leads social media strategies and content creation. With a strong background in communications, Maddie previously worked as a Communications Officer at the Georgetown Hospital Foundation, focusing on newsletters, social media, and marketing campaigns. Before that, she spent over five years with Rogers Sports & Media, including roles as a Reporter/Editor and Reporter/Anchor, where she honed her skills in journalism, social media best practices, and content production. With a passion for effective communication, Maddie brings expertise in social media marketing, written communication, videography, and online engagement to her role at the CKC.