[Paddlewise] Dog Paddling - A Hairy Incident

From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 21:32:33 -0700
There hasn't been much to report from the BC Coast Guard blotter this
winter, probably due to the calm seas over 2000/2001. I monitor the
pre-recorded media report line twice a day (ambulance chasing for safety
articles, you know 8-)  ).

However, something interesting happened this weekend. A fellow left the
beach here in Victoria for a nice day paddle. He went off shore a fair
way, did a circuitous route, then returned to his launch site. Upon
returning, he noticed a large amount of activity generating out to sea
from whence he came. A number of Whale Watching boats were involved in
some type of rescue, apparently trying to secure a lone swimmer or
something aboard. Further inquiries to other bystanders in the know
yielded the answer that the boaters were rescuing a dog found dog
paddling out at sea. The paddler simply figured the poor mutt must have
fallen off someone's cruiser earlier in the day. Dogs have been found
adrift before in our local waters.

Upon returning home, the paddler couldn't find any trace of his own
canine friend. Could it be? He frantically phoned all the Whale Watching
operators, until he found the one who had retrieved the wet, cold pup.
And yeap, it was his.

Apparently, the dog had followed him to the beach (he lives nearby),
then followed behind him out to sea until overcome by currents and
fatigue. The paddler had no idea the dog had escaped and followed him,
let alone out to sea. One lucky pooch I'd say. And one loyal pooch,
too!

Doug


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Received on Tue Apr 17 2001 - 23:18:13 PDT

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