A California dog that vanished after being frightened by Fourth of July celebrations has been found alive following an incredible journey that ended nearly half a mile from shore in San Francisco Bay.
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District received a call during the week of July 13 reporting that a dog had entered the water and was swimming alone.
Firefighters launched a drone to search the area and soon spotted the small black dog paddling through the bay by himself.
Once the animal was located, a rescue crew boarded a boat and made its way toward him. Video shared by the East Palo Alto Police Department showed the exhausted dog swimming as a group of seagulls circled and followed him through the water.
When the rescue boat finally reached the animal, one crew member leaned over the side and carefully scooped him from the bay. Another firefighter quickly grabbed a jacket and wrapped it around the shivering dog to keep him warm.
The dog was later seen trembling in a firefighter’s arms as the boat returned to land.
“Tiny dog escapes marsh, survives aerial assault by an organized gang of seagulls, and is rescued by the Menlo Park Fire Department. 12/10 action movie,” the East Palo Alto Police Department joked in its Facebook caption.
The fire district also shared several photos from the dramatic rescue, including images of the dog wrapped in a firefighter’s jacket, the crew posing with him beside the rescue boat and the pup still swimming in the water.
The dog was turned over to the SPCA, which was able to track down his owners. Officials learned that the pet had been missing since the Fourth of July after becoming frightened by the loud holiday noises.
The dog and his family have since been reunited.
“Thank you to everyone who helped reunite this furry friend with its family,” the Menlo Park Fire Protection District wrote.
A woman who identified herself as the dog’s owner later posted an emotional thank-you message in the comments.
“I want to thank the entire rescue team from the bottom of my heart. These last 2 weeks were a lot of agony not knowing about my dog,” she wrote.
The woman said she had searched for her missing pet at the SPCA in San Mateo and an animal shelter in Palo Alto but had been unable to find her.
“I was very, very depressed not knowing where she was and was even losing hope,” she continued.
That despair turned to relief when the SPCA finally called with the news that her dog had been found.
“My heart started beating so hard when I received the call from the SPCA team,” she wrote. “I would never be able to thank you enough for her rescue and for bringing her back to her home. Forever grateful.”
According to local outlet InMenlo, the dog was approximately half a mile from shore when firefighters pulled him from San Francisco Bay.