Every day the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) keeps the waterways of America safe. They do this by helping stranded boats, clamping down on the drug trade-off of U.S. shores, and performing water-borne rescue missions.

These rescue missions include rescues of not only humans but animals as well, as demonstrated by a shocking rescue of a senior dog in the waters outside of Fort Myers, Florida.

Receiving a call about a dog in distress

The USCG stationed at Fort Myers Beach received a call about a senior dog swimming alone in the middle of the sea. They rushed to the dog’s location, not knowing how long the dog had been out in the sea treading water.

They were afraid if they waited too long that the dog might drown.

A water rescue

As they approached the dog in the water, the crew pulled the boat as close as they possibly could. Calling for the dog, the crew was eventually able to get the dog’s attention. He then swam up to the side of the boat.

Reaching down, one of the crew members grabbed the dog and pulled him aboard.

The dog appears very grateful after being rescued

As the exhausted pooch fell into the arms of his rescuer, the dog made sure to give the Coast Guard member plenty of kisses. The dog seemed so grateful to his rescuers for saving his life.

“How are you doing, buddy?” one of the crew members said in a video filmed of the daring rescue. “You’re the best person I’ve ever rescued.”

Reuniting with his family

Once they were sure that the dog was OK, the crew snapped a photo along with the dog as a keepsake. The crew then sailed the boat back to port where the dog could be checked out and reunited with his family.

And while it was never said why he was in the water in the first place, he is very fortunate that the USCG is so diligent in doing its job.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach

The USCG is known as “America’s Volunteer Lifesavers.” As the name implies, this all-volunteer force patrols off the coast of America and its major waterways to ensure the safety of the citizens of this country.

The Fort Myers Beach Station serves the area off of Florida’s west coast, mainly around Fort Myers Beach and the coastal waterways located there.

For more on the USCG Station at Fort Myers Beach, check out the organization’s Facebook page or the USCG Flotilla 91 D7 Website.

Boat safety for dogs

To prevent what happened to the senior dog highlighted above from happening to your dog, follow some simple pet boat safety tips. This includes keeping your dog confined somewhere on the boat if you are out on the water at night. With the low visibility conditions, it will be next to impossible to spot your dog if they fall overboard in the dark.

Even during the day, if your dog does fall overboard, you should constantly point at them with your finger in an attempt to keep up with their location as you try to retrieve them. Get your dog out of the water as soon as possible before they become exhausted and drown.

Fortunately, for the senior dog above, the USCG crew was able to find him and rescue him quickly. Watch the video below for more on this daring water rescue and the dog’s grateful response.

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Source: Facebook/U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach

H/T: Paw My Gosh, I Love My Dog So Much, U.S. Department of Homeland Security United States Coast Guard Auxiliary