A woman named Annie Ryzak anticipated a quiet Memorial Day weekend with her pals when they went boating on Lake Michigan. She ended up getting footage of a heroic rescue of a dog that needed help.
It was a Sunday when Ryzak went boating near the Ohio Street beach in Chicago. While she was on the water, she observed a small, dark object floating in the turbulent Lake Michigan waters. She tried to get a closer look at what it was and soon realized that it was a dog. She also observed that people who were on the shores also saw that the dog was in need of help.
It was a good thing that Ryzak was taking a video at that time so she was able to record how things unfolded.
According to Ryzak, the dog initially began swimming farther away from the shore. It was a potentially hazardous situation, not just due to the wind and high waves, but also due to the enormous number of boats in the area during the holiday weekend.
It was a good thing that some good Samaritans on the shore decided to help out. One man jumped from the rocky bluff and into the lake and swam out to the paddling dog, turning it around and directing it back to the shore. Once the dog approached the shore, the man’s companions were able to grasp it and pull it to safety, where the dog and its owner were reunited happily.
In certain areas of Lake Michigan, dogs are permitted to swim, but it is always advisable for owners to observe basic water safety guidelines while taking your dog into or near the water. Ensuring they know how to swim and have a life jacket that fits properly will go a long way toward ensuring your dog has the safest experience possible.
Source: CBS Chicago