I once watched, with awe and envy, as two women did cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a 15-year-old dog that had collapsed at a fundraising event for a local shelter.

One woman did chest compressions while the other breathed into the dog's mouth. Despite the veterinary technicians' best efforts, the old guy wasn't moving or breathing. The dog's owner wept, as did many of the animal lovers who witnessed this.

After about 10 minutes of CPR, the old dog opened his eyes and wagged his tail. There were cheers all around and I thought, "Wow. I wish I could do that."

Now I could, thanks to a two-hour pet first-aid course I took at the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter office in Downtown Pittsburgh.

My classmates and I learned how to do CPR on a plush Dalmatian dummy dog named Ace and a little plush dummy cat named Gracie. We learned how to bandage wounds and splint fractured legs and how to help a dog or cat that had been poisoned, burned, or suffered frostbite, heatstroke and more.

There was a lot to learn in two short hours, but instructors Donna Duncan and Chuck Perry kept it interesting. They both work full time at the Allegheny County 911 Center, and pet first aid is something they teach in their "spare" time.

Adding to the cachet of this class were Ms. Duncan's real demo dogs -- Annie, a 4-year-old Chihuahua and Bonnie, a 3-month-old golden retriever. They're her well-behaved personal pets, and they're real crowd-pleasers.

There were two things we learned that, by themselves, were worth the $45 price of admission: How to make a muzzle and how to save a choking dog or cat.

Even the gentlest animal might bite when in pain, so muzzle the dog or cat before you start doing first aid. Ms. Duncan and Mr. Perry's method is quick and easy, but you really have to see them demonstrate this on the dummy animals, because the gauze-and-bandage muzzle has to be tight enough to prevent biting but loose enough so the animal can breathe.

You don't have to be a vet or a vet tech to save a choking dog or cat. There is an animal version of the Heimlich Maneuver, which has saved many human lives.

Bonnie wagged her tail nonstop when it was her turn to be the center of attention. Ms. Duncan lifted the puppy's front legs off the ground and put her spine against the woman's stomach. She put her hands under Bonnie's rib cage but then had to switch to a DVD because you can't practice this maneuver on a dog that is not choking. You would do five quick "compressions" to force air up from the diaphragm, dislodging the item.

Things that can choke a dog -- or cat -- include balls and other toys, food and cellophane candy wrappers. The tennis balls that so many dogs love can be just the "right" size to get stuck in the throat of a 75-pound Labrador or golden retriever. A dog or cat whose throat is completely blocked would die before you could drive to a veterinarian.

In all of the other scenarios, however, the animal still needs to be seen by a veterinarian. First aid is just what you do until you can get to a veterinary clinic, Ms. Duncan and Mr. Perry emphasized.

Annie taught us how to take a dog's pulse. Ms. Duncan cradled the little Chihuahua in her arms. Annie lolled on her back while each of us tried to find her pulse.

I thought we'd check in the neck or on the "wrist," but no. You check the femoral artery, which is under a back leg. Who knew?

We should all check the pulse of our own dogs and cats, because we need to know the normal resting pulse. That varies widely -- 60 to 140 beats per minute is normal -- depending on the size of the dog. In an emergency situation, you need to know if the pulse is too fast or too slow.

Classes are $45, with proceeds benefitting Red Cross disaster relief. Future classes are Aug. 22, Sept. 17 and Oct. 13, all from 6 to 8 p.m.; and Nov. 14, 1-3 p.m. All are held at 225 Boulevard of the Allies. To register, go to swpa.redcross.org or call 1-888-217-9599.