Aurora dog owner helps guide pet to safety from icy pond

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Despite a few warmer days following a week of single-digit temperatures, Colorado water bodies are still frozen and can be a hazard for animals or people going out on the ice.

“It was a one-in-a-million thing — her leash got caught and let her loose, and as soon as I realized it, she ran out and chased the geese on the ice,” said Jerry Widener, the owner of a 4-and-a-half-year-old husky shepherd mix.

On Sunday, Widener and his dog, Bella, were out for a walk at Utah Park in Aurora. He said Bella ran out onto the ice and fell into the water. Right away, he called 911 for help.

“I was panicking, thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t lose my girl. She is everything to me,’” said Widener, who rescued Bella from the Dumb Friends League during the pandemic.

Widener said at first, he thought he should go out onto the ice and try and help Bella. But he said he remembered a story he saw on FOX31/Channel 2 just a week ago about what someone should do in this type of situation.

He said Bella kept trying to pull herself out on a side where the ice was much thinner, so he tried to guide her to the other side where the ice looked more sturdy.

“I called her over to this side where the ice was more secure, and she was able to pull herself out,” Widener said.

He said Aurora firefighters still showed up, even though Bella was able to pull herself out. He said the firefighters made sure everyone was OK, and he feels lucky his dog made it out alive.

“I’m thankful for all of the years on the news,” Widener said. “I remembered what to do. I didn’t go out on the ice, ’cause that was my first instinct to do so.”

Once the duo was home safe and warm, Bella got a big lecture from dad.

“I told her she’s not allowed to jump in the ice anymore,” Widener said.