A woman claims her pet dog saved her husband's life by waking her up and warning her when he stopped breathing.

Felicia Gillman was woken by eight-month-old pit bull Charley, when her husband, Doug, 56, fell into sleep apnoea at their home in Colombus, Ohio.

The 36-year-old office manager woke to find her beloved puppy barking and jumping on her lap, alerting her to her husband who was in an armchair and not breathing.

The grateful-spouse is sharing her story to change negative perceptions of the breed - which is banned in the UK - by highlighting the pup's quick thinking.

Felicia said: "Charley saved my husband's life.
Charley helped her owner (
Image:
Mercury Press & Media)

"I woke up to her barking and nudging me aggressively and then she sat on Doug's knee and started to lick him.

"I saw he wasn't trying to push her away when she jumped on him.

"That's when I realised something was wrong.

"I tried to wake Doug and I got nothing from him.

"I tried to shake him awake. I tried to smack him, but he was completely unresponsive. He was not opening his eyes.

"He was making this sound like he was gurgling; it was like he was choking on water.

"It was the most terrifying moment of my life and I called an ambulance.
Doug and Felicia (
Image:
Mercury Press & Media)

"I would never have known if it wasn't for Charley. She is blessed.

"I feel like god was working through her to warn me. People say that god works through all his creatures and I think he was that night."

Paramedics who attended Doug told Felicia that if she had spotted him any later he would have likely died or suffered serious brain damage.

Truck driver Doug was rushed to hospital where he was hooked up to oxygen and kept in intensive care for 24 hours.

He spent three nights in hospital before returning home where he spent another three weeks recovering.

Felicia said: "Even though he is better now, it's still a huge worry.
Doug in hospital (
Image:
Mercury Press & Media)

"I try to check that his chest is going up and down when he is sleeping now.

"Since he returned, Charley is very diligent.

"She is so watchful over him. She will curl up next to him.

"Sometimes she will have her paw on his chest."

Doug is now back at work while he awaits test results which will show how severe his sleep apnoea is.

Felicia added: "She's the sweetest dog I have ever had in my life.

"It's all about the owner. It's like with a child. If you raise a child in a bad environment, they will have a different outlook on life.

"Pit bulls were banned for a while in my city. They're not now but some people won't rent a house to you if you have one. It's ridiculous.

"They used to be called the 'nanny dog' because they are so caring.

"They're a wonderful breed."