Rescued Black Lab

[OllieC]

So I just scared the shit out of myself about an hour ago.

Wife and are working from home today and we hear a dog crying. We can’t figure out where it’s coming from - then she see’s the dog in the aerated pond on our lake. His head and two paws are on the ice . My wife’s now in full panic mode.

I called my retired neighbor, and luckily he was home. I used an ice fishing sled, some anchor line to tie to the sled. I asked my wife to talk to the dog while I was getting things out of the garage. It had been in there it seemed for a while. By the time I got down to the lake, his paws were off the ice and it was just his head bobbing, and he was trying to support it on the ice. He couldn’t cry anymore and was shivering ferociously.

I walked out as far as I could, with my neighbor holding the anchor line, then got in the sled to inch out toward him. I brought a dock line and made a harness to put around the dog. I got to the edge and was able to get the dock line around one leg and his neck - then - the ice broke. Luckily the ice fishing sled held me up. Got a little wet though. I also had my floatie ice fishing gear on just in case I went completely in.

Thank goodness my neighbor was there. He was able to pull me back onto the ice. No way my 120lb wife would have been able to do that. The sled was buoyant enough but water did get in. Also the dog was trying to climb into the sled which wouldn’t have worked.

Anyway, he’s at our home now. His shivering has subsided. Been really good so my guess is he’s a family dog. We’ll probably take him in to the vet and see if he’s chipped. Of course there’s a collar but with no info on it.

Here’s a pic of the aerated area he was in. We just added the barriers last weekend. Dogs apparently don’t care about that.

Here’s a pic of our new friend.

We have a fire going and I’ll run into town and get him some food. Hopefully we’ll find the owners. There’s been a few dogs missing in the area.

Sorry about the punctuation and spellings, I’m still a little jacked up.

 

[PlayDate]

Great work! Even if an owner turns up.....you made a life long friend and did a wonderful thing for a great animal. I have one that looks just like that and they steal your heart.

 

[Golfman25]

Well you're going to heaven. I'd keep him.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Way to go Ollie.

 

[Stee6043]

Funny...I was going to jump into this thread and ask why folks call adopted dogs "rescues"...but you actually rescued a dog! Finally the proper use of the term.

That's gotta be good for some good karma. Nicely done, @OllieC

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

Not all hero's wear capes, well done @OllieC

 

[Skybolt]

Absolutely AWESOME @OllieC! A true HERO! Dogs mean more to me than people do, so man great job!

 

[OllieC]

Update: We found the owners. They’re just over another bay. His name is Maverick. He was with us just long enough to take a nice dump outside. I guess it was well deserved Hopefully he’ll be back home soon.

 

[White Shadow]

I couldn’t agree more - Great Job! I think you’ve earned a drink or two for your efforts. Lots of good karma coming your way!!!

 

[GnrlPatton]

Great job thinking quickly but staying safe too. Glad you were able to save the poor little dude, it could have ended badly in a few ways. Well done sir!

 

[Todd Sevier]

Great job ,so glad Maverick is safe n happy you must feel great.

 

[MrHappy]

Awesome.

Glad you kept your cool and thought things out. I probably would have shit my pants and just ran out there and jumped in.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Two thumbs up! Hopefully the owners offer to send you to your favorite restaurant or something for your quick thinking saving the dog.

 

[OllieC]

Final Update : I’m pretty sad to find out who owns the dog. We have people not on the lake, who have about 6 dogs, trash and junk all over their property, and they keep some of the dogs in kennels. Their dogs bark all day and night. I guess Maverick goes in a kennel. Maybe that’s why he was so happy to be inside.

Anyway, back to the kennel for young Maverick.

My neighbor posted on Facebook about the lost dog earlier and the owners identified it around 3pm. He PMd them our phone numbers. They never called and just showed up about 15 minutes ago (2hrs). I found that a little odd. If I lost my dog, I’d be calling ASAP.

Glad Maverick is safe, but IMO he’s at a rotten household.

……for what it’s worth, I didn’t get any work done since noon today.

 

[dwna1a]

You did a very good thing, my Golden Tessa sends you big tail wags and puppy kisses

 

[Todd Sevier]

Did you consider adopting him, he'd obviously be better off with a caring mom an dad

 

[Todd Sevier]

My Best friend Behr wags his nub of a tail and thanks you for your giant heart ❤

 

[Golfman25]

Final Update : I’m pretty sad to find out who owns the dog. We have people not on the lake, who have about 6 dogs, trash and junk all over their property, and they keep some of the dogs in kennels. Their dogs bark all day and night. I guess Maverick goes in a kennel. Maybe that’s why he was so happy to be inside.

Anyway, back to the kennel for young Maverick.

My neighbor posted on Facebook about the lost dog earlier and the owners identified it around 3pm. He PMd them our phone numbers. They never called and just showed up about 15 minutes ago (2hrs). I found that a little odd. If I lost my dog, I’d be calling ASAP.

Glad Maverick is safe, but IMO he’s at a rotten household.

……for what it’s worth, I didn’t get any work done since noon today.

Sounds like a little midnight reconnaissance is in order. Would be a real shame if he "escaped" again.

 

[OllieC]

I don’t know. There was no interest by them. I didn’t want anything, and wouldn’t have taken anything, but they were basically like, ‘thanks, see yeah later….’ Reminded me of a short fat Cousin Eddie in Vacation.

 

[Flyer5]

Sounds like a little midnight reconnaissance is in order. Would be a real shame if he "escaped" again.

If not so far away I'd help.