Recent heroic efforts have emerged from various corners as local heroes step up to rescue animals stranded on frozen waterways. Three separate incidents involving dogs and cats highlight the lengths to which individuals will go to save pets from icy perils.
One of the most notable rescues took place on Christmas Eve, when Brooklyn, a 20-month-old dog, found herself perilously stranded on the frozen Lake Parsippany, New Jersey. After she darted away from her dogsitter, her owner was away for the holidays, leaving the community to rally around her. Police and local citizens worked tirelessly to coax Brooklyn from the swirling dangers of thin ice.
Kishan Patel, who lives near the lake, was among those who felt compelled to help. Equipped with his drone, Patel attempted to lure Brooklyn with pieces of chicken, nearly succeeding. "We did get it about 20-30 feet off the shore," Patel recounted. Yet, as her rescuers drew closer, fear shot through the Doodle, causing her to retreat once again onto the slippery expanse.
After night fell, Patel's drone provided additional assistance by pinpointing Brooklyn's exact location. Eventually, police gauged the ice's safety before sending out an officer, who helped spook Brooklyn back toward safer ground. "The dog got scared off the ice and it ran onto someone's front porch where it was eventually found," Patel explained, relieved to learn Brooklyn is now back home.
Meanwhile, at Nabnasset Lake in Westford, Massachusetts, 20-year-old Tiki, a blind cat, faced his own icy crisis. Observers reported seeing him isolated on floating ice, and panic set in when he fell through. Dawn Felicani, a passerby who spotted Tiki, described the moment, saying, "Its little head was sticking out! I’m in tears, and I’m freaking out." Tiki's plight prompted her to call local first responders without hesitation.
Help arrived just in time, as two local construction workers, Kris and Nate, paddled out on a rowboat to assist. Utilizing tools as makeshift rescue gear, Nate bravely navigated through the brittle surface, which was cracking underfoot. He used a shovel to break through the ice and quickly grabbed Tiki, rescuing him mere moments before he would have succumbed to the frigid water. Authorities reported Tiki was shivering and lethargic, with his body temperature not even registering on the thermometer during the rescue.
Tiki was warmed, dried, and welcomed back home after his miraculous recovery. His owner, John Arden, expressed immense gratitude for the quick response and care from locals and authorities, feeling relief to have his beloved companion back safe.
The Coitsville Fire Department encountered their own situation involving another dog, who, thrilled by outdoor play, had broken through the ice on the 4400 Block of McGuffey Road. The pit bull mix, after much effort, became lethargic and unable to rescue himself, prompting his concerned owners to call for assistance.
Responders from Coitsville and Poland Fire Departments quickly arrived at the scene. With specialized ice rescue suits and equipment, they prepared to retrieve the canine. The Coitsville Fire Chief described their strategy: "We have ice rescue suits and all of the rigging, so we'll get on scene and we'll have a line tethered and a rescuer in the suit... they'll go out and make the grab, and we'll pull them back to shore." Thankfully, the rescuers acquired the dog before Poland Fire Department even arrived, assuring all involved of its well-being.
These compelling stories from Lake Parsippany to Westford exemplify the community's spirit and the lengths to which people will go to rescue animals from dire situations. Thanks to the bravery and quick actions of individuals and First Responders, Brooklyn, Tiki, and the unnamed pit bull mix have been spared from icy fates. Their happy endings are reminders of the importance of being vigilant during the colder months to protect our furry companions.
