Andrea Rosebrock 
Dogs and balls just seem to go together but for one dog, a ball went a bit too far. Bob Larson was playing ball with his 7-year-old chocolate lab, Nick, when the ball lodged in his throat, choking him.
“He loves to play ball so we were in the front yard playing ball this morning and just a split second he swallowed the ball, which is about the size of a tennis ball,” said Larson.
That’s when Larson sprung into action and was rushing Nick to the vet. He noticed Nick getting more and more distressed and did the only thing he could think of, he stuck his hand in Nick’s mouth and used his fingers to try to dislodge the ball. All that he could think of, all that he cared about, was saving Nick.
Then the unthinkable happened, Nick bit down and actually bit off the tip of Larson’s finger.
“Nick, in a panic stage was gagging and coughing and trying to dislodge that and the owner’s attempt to go in and dislodge the ball, it was just an accident,” said veterinarian Dr. Rod Van Horn with the Omaha Animal Medical Group. “The dog was totally unaware that it was acting this way, I mean it was gasping for life.”
At that point some people may have flipped out, not Larson, he took Nick the rest of the way to the vet’s office, with only minutes to spare and his life was saved.
As for the tips of Bob Larson’s finger, well, they found it and Larson decided not to worry about trying to have it reattached. His concern was saving Nick, his beloved family dog, beyond that, the loss of a tip of a finger just wasn’t that important.
What an incredible man!!
When you look at some of the stories I write about on a daily basis, the abuse, the neglect, one horror story after another, then you read something like this, a man who cared so little about himself that he willing sacrificed a finger for the life of his beloved pet, you see the way things should be.
Mr. Larson, you have my undying respect! Thank you for showing people the value of a life, even if it is the life of “just a dog.” Here we know there is no such thing as “just a dog.” They are our friends and companions, loving and loyal til the end. They would willingly sacrifice themselves for us, and many have, and so seldom are we ever called to sacrifice anything for them. You have shown us the true meaning of sacrifice and love. Thank you! 
Amen to this guy he’s man after my own heart .. as I’d do the same for one of furry friends also … there is no such thing as just a dog to either….Glad to know everything is ow good and everyone is alive and well
THIS MAN DESERVES SOME KIND OF AWARD FOR SAVING THE LIFE OF HIS K-9 COMPANION. THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE STILL COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE STILL LEFT IN THIS WORLD. I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING & NOT GIVEN IT A SECOND THOUGHT EITHER. THANK YOU MR. LARSON FOR SHOWING US THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO STILL CARE FOR THEIR FOR THEIR FUR BABIES.
bless u, Bob Larson. u r ONE awesome,e dude…..
I’d do it we’d all do it loose a finger to save our companions
Yea!!!! WTG Mr. Larson! Nick is a lucky pooch to have such a wonderful human companion. Of course, I am a bit partial to Chocolate Labs….that’s what my beautiful girl, Sage is. I would never hesitate to do the same for her or ANY dog I would see in distress like that, if they need my help. You are a man among men Mr. Larson and may the Angels always watch over you, Nick and all your loved ones. God Bless you sir.