OKEMOS - A sunny morning walk with the dog wasn't unusual to Mary Gebbia-Portice. She did it all the time. With a hometown friend on her left and her four-legged best friend Redd on her right, it was just another Monday.

Until the nine-year old Golden Retriever starting breathing louder. And heavier. While Redd was known for his loud panting, Mary knew this was different. This was bad.

"He just kept getting worse. He was gasping for breath," she said. "I didn't know what I should do."

Almost a mile into the path, the 80-pound dog staggered and fell, laying on his side, wheezing for air that wouldn't come. Mary stood shocked for a moment. Standing over her pet, she panicked, while the birds still sang and the sun still shone, hard, on Redd.

"I was almost incredulous for a second. I thought to myself 'oh my god, my dog's going to die here. And there's nothing I can do.'"

Unable to move Redd, Mary sprinted, screaming, desperate for anyone to hear the pleas drowned out only by Redd's increasing pants of breath.

Two Meridian Township summer maintenance employees, Zachary Reid and Graham Riley, were sent to Central Park by their supervisor that morning. Driving their golf cart into Mary's path, more likely she believed the teenagers were sent by an angel.

"I called to them, but I probably ended up yelling," said Mary. "And they didn't hesitate. They dropped everything and came."

The impromptu medics lifted Redd into the cart and shuttled the struggling dog to Mary's car. A panicked drive to the vet and a four-hour surgery, and Redd, miraculously, made it through.

"Heat stroke, if not caught early enough, can take the lives of 50-60% of dogs," said Dr. Andrew Carver, a third-year resident in MSU's Critical and Veterinary Care. "It's horrible, but early detection and prevention is incredibly important.

For Mary, she's convinced Redd wouldn't be here without the actions of Reid and Riley. The two boys were honored for their heroism at the Township Board meeting on July 7. With Redd's wagging tail in attendance, the boys received commendations of their efforts to save the dog.

"They definitely went above and beyond their call of duty," said Derek Perry, Assistant Township Manager and Director of Public Works for Meridian Township.

Redd isn't out of the woods yet. The vets diagnosed him with laryngeal paralysis, ending his long career of walks with his owner. Unknown before the episode, Mary believes is still a blessing in disguise.

"He wouldn't be here today if it weren't for them, I have no doubt. It was an absolute miracle."

The tale of walking any dog, veteran or puppy, is a cautionary one in the hot summer months. Dr. Carver wants to warn all owners of heat stroke, and what they can to do prevent it.

"Understand risk factors in your dog, Obesity, having a long or heavy hair coat, dogs with short or 'squished' faces all have bigger risks for heat stroke," said Carver. "If your dog has any of those, you need to think about avoiding the really hot or sunny days."

For Redd, he might just be fine living out his retirement at his home in St. Johns. Exhausted but happy.