A surfer rode a wave on his stomach to rescue a struggling dog that had been swept off a pier and into Lake Michigan by a wave.
Matt Smolenski, 25, said he grabbed the pooch's collar just as the exhausted, black-and-brown mixed breed stopped dog-paddling on Tuesday.
"He put the dog up on his surfboard, and the dog rode the surfboard in to shore," said Royce Rodgers, an off-duty Muskegon Heights police officer who witnessed the rescue. As the dog crouched on the board, Smolenski held on from the water, fighting large waves and a strong current all the way to shore.
"I've watched the dog about a million times," said Smolenski, of Grand Haven. "He barks at the waves and then jumps back when they wash up on the pier."
A surfing buddy, Joe Riopelle, 24, also of Grand Haven, helped pull in the duo.
Rodgers said the owner thanked Smolenski and gave him a high five. He then "left so fast, I couldn't get his name," he said.
[AP]
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Comments (1)
That's so awesome. Thanks ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by langtry | September 13, 2007 9:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That's so awesome. Thanks for showing us this story, Tracey, it made my day!
1. Posted by langtry | September 13, 2007 9:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on September 13, 2007 09:53