A man who lost part of his finger Tuesday while saving the life of his dog, is home in Lincoln and doing well. Bob Larsen's daughter Carolyn told Channel 6 News Tuesday evening that the injured dog is also home recovering.

Larsen was visiting his daughter in Omaha when his 7-year-old chocolate labrador Nick started choking on a ball.

"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."

Larsen rushed the dog to the Omaha Animal Medical Group, but realized time was running out for his four-legged friend. "I tried to get the ball out of his mouth one more time and he come down on my finger and I pulled my finger out and just lost the tip of it."

Nick bit down. “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.

Dr. Van Horn said Nick made it to his office with about three minutes to spare. “The dog was totally unaware that it was acting this way, I mean it was gasping for life." Nick's vet said the dog will be fine.

The finger part was found. Larsen told Channel 6 News he opted not to have it reattached as doctors were not sure the procedure would work. "The finger was secondary, the dog was priority."

There are steps that can be done if a pet is choking. The American Red Cross teaches a CPR class specifically for dogs and cats.

“The bigger the dog, the easier it is,” said CPR coach David Smith with the Red Cross. “You just stand behind him like a human and just do your Heimlich and you can try back blows and stuff."

Smith says reaching into an animal's mouth might not be the best idea, especially if the dog is conscious. The next class is scheduled for next Tuesday. Cost is $35 to $55.