Seal Saves Dog

The Associated Press -UK

[Sungirl]

< ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Good News~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

An exhausted dog, floundering and close to drowning in a fast-flowing river, has been saved by a "guardian angel" seal which pushed it to the safety of the shore.
The 10-year-old alsatian-labrador cross had fallen into the River Tees. After struggling to one bank, it could not get out.
It turned to cross to the other side. But, as it fought the tide, witnesses saw it begin to lose the battle. Then, just as the dog's head began to sink beneath the water, a seal appeared and nudged it to safety.
The dramatic course of events unfolded beneath Newport Bridge in Middlesbrough. Eyewitness Chris Hinds, from Middlesbrough, said: "It was just like the dog had a guardian angel."

'Popped up'
Mr Hinds was with his 18-year-old son Raymond when they spotted the injured animal, which had a cut on its head. "I initially reached in to get hold of him. But when he saw me he panicked," Mr Hinds senior said. "I saw him going across the Tees from the Middlesbrough side to the Stockton side. He was an old dog and struggling. "I thought, `This dog is going to die'. There was no way I could get in to rescue him.
Just then a seal popped up out of nowhere. He came behind it and actually pushed him." 'Strangest things' He added: "I've never seen anything like it in my life.

This dog would not have survived in the water if it hadn't been for that seal." Fire crews were called to the scene by Mr Hinds' son and helped capture the confused dog. Sub-officer Mark Baxter, of Stockton fire station, said: "It's one of the strangest things I've ever heard.
By the time we arrived the dog was on dry land and there were three seals bobbing in the water keeping an eye on him."
The lucky dog is now in the care of the RSPCA until its owner can be found.

[Sungirl]

Be Kind to Animals.

[Great Dane]

Thanks for yet another wonderful animal story. :-}

[jimtorr]

Just when you get tired of reading about all the politics and war on FR, something like this pops up. Thanks, Sungirl.

I wonder if one or more of the seals were perhaps released from a zoo or circus or some other association with people and pets. Wild seals just do not help creatures other than seals. Unless, of course, they actually do, and nobody was willing to talk about it before.

[Sungirl]

You're Welcome... >^..^<

[adanaC]

Thank you for this wonderful story. Maybe animals and mammals should take over mother earth.

[Rebelbase]

Glad to hear that it was seal. Those otters on the other hand are rather pesky: Otterly Ridiculous/Raping Otter and What's Up With Florida's Otters? Otter Attacks Family D0g, Man

[andysandmikesmom]

I always am a sucker for an animal story, with a grand ending..I think I will go hug my cat, if he will let me...

[Squantos]

"Seal" saves dog ........... :o)

Stay Safe !