Senior dog cried out for help as he plunged into the icy water — luckily, help was not far
Many dogs seem to love going into the water. And while this is not a big deal in most cases, drowning is still a risk dogs face every time they go in the water.
One dog, in particular, found himself in trouble when he fell through the ice on a frozen pond in Delaware. Fortunately, help was nearby and local firefighters were able to save his life.
A dog in danger
It all started when the Murowany family heard their dog, Boo, howling outside. Going out to see what was wrong, they saw him holding onto the edge of the ice in a nearby pond.
The family called the authorities for help and soon the local fire department was on the scene.
Firefighters rush to Boo’s aid
Taking a rowboat, the firefighters slowly made their way to the dog’s location in the ice. As they went, they had to break the ice to clear a pathway for the boat. They eventually reached Boo’s side and were able to drag him out of the water and into the boat.
Now, they had to get him back to shore and warmed up before hypothermia set in.
Boo was OK
Once on shore, the firefighters wrapped Boo in a towel to dry off. Then he was whisked off to the vet for a checkup. After he was checked out and determined to be OK, he was taken back home and placed by a space heater to warm up and recover from his ordeal. The family was thankful for the brave firefighters.
“I was really afraid we were going to lose him,” Maria Murowany, one of Boo’s owners, told 6ABC. “Thank God for the rescuers that got him.”
The family assured everyone that Boo would be supervised during any of his future trips to the pond.
Drowning hazards for dogs
It is not just during the winter months that water poses a risk to your dogs. A dog can drown at any time. Even if you know that your dog is a good swimmer, keep in mind that the can still drown under certain circumstances.
One common cause of drowning are rip tides and other strong currents. Rip tides run perpendicular to, or away from, the shore. And if strong enough, they can keep your dog from exiting the water. Even the strongest swimmers will eventually tire and could drown if caught in a rip tide.
If your dog is caught in a rip tide and you enter the water to help them, simply swim along the shoreline until it’s pull weakens enough for you and your dog to swim to shore.
Keeping your dog safe in the water
Another issue that can arise from your dog’s time in the water is dry drowning. Dry drowning happens when water gets in your dog’s lungs and can affect them hours or even days after. Signs of dry drowning include coughing, difficulty breathing, and extreme lethargy. If you think your dog is suffering from dry drowning, take them to the vet immediately.
You can watch Boo’s harrowing water rescue in the video below.
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H/T: TheAnimalRescueSite.com, The IRFO, Preventive Vet, Gallant