Virginia police have given Skip Jack the puppy a second chance at life.
Chesapeake Bay Marine Patrol rescued a young chocolate Labrador retriever after he was swept away from the shore by the ocean’s current, Chesapeake Bay Magazine reports.
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Kristin Voncelin and her puppy began the day at a private beach near Rappahannock River. Within moments, the stress-free beach day became a matter of life and death after she noticed her puppy drifting further and further out into the water.
The frightened dog owner first attempted to save her pooch by throwing a floatation device in the water hoping he would grab on. The puppy was no match for the powerful waves, so Voncelin proceeded to call 911.
Marine Patrol officers Kyle Jones and Terrie McKellips were stationed on a boat in a nearby marina and quickly responded to the call.
"There was a little chop. And the area was filled with crab pot buoys, so it was a challenge to look for a small brown dog's head. Also, the dog had been in the water for close to two hours, so it would be exhausted if still alive," McKellips told the outlet.
"We started a grid search. Then, right off the bow, I saw a brown nose. It was the puppy!" the officer said. "The dog was so tired it was barely holding its nose above the water. The rest of the dog was submerged. I don't know how we were able to see it."
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Jack Skip reached safety, exhausted, but alive. Thankfully, the puppy suffered no major injuries aside from fatigue and muscle soreness.
"It was simply wonderful, and everyone was touched,” McKellips said. “Vonclein was so thankful, and the dog was full of energy as a puppy should be.”
McKellips and her team celebrated the incredible rescue by gifting the dog a flotation device to bring to his next beach outing.
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