WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. – A Lehigh County pet owner found herself in the right place at exactly the right time after her dog found itself treading for its life in icy quarry waters.
Video captured of the frantic situation might make a grown man cry.
In it, 4-year-old Chevy, the English Springer Spaniel, uses her paws to paddle for her life and try to climb onto ice.
“She looked like a little seal trying to come up, and just couldn't do it,” said Kjell Geosits.
How did Chevy end up in frigid Washington Township quarry waters? The theory is that Chevy, who suffers from epileptic seizures, had one, became disoriented and then ran through her family's electric fence.
A trail camera photo and some pawprints pointed Chevy's owners and Geosits, who specializes in tracking lost pets, to the area.
The pup's pleas only grew louder as they got closer; however, they had to stay a safe distance away due to the steepness.
They say, thank goodness they got there when they did. Cheryll Hankee immediately dialed 911.
“She had to have been in there, by my photos, at least 45 minutes or longer,” said Geosits. “Hypothermia was definitely kicking in.”
“Just kind of very lethargic, just laying up against the ice,” explained rescuer Ryan Schmoyer.
Schmoyer, a firefighter for Slatedale Fire Company, says first responders didn't even have time to put on ice rescue suits.
“We had to walk or slide across to the open water, where the dog was treading water, and then, attempt to get the dog to understand that we're trying to help you,” explained Schmoyer. “The dog slipped and went under and we, actually, I had to reach under the water about shoulder depth, grab the dog by the collar.”
Cheryl says, later, she was told Chevy went limp. When she was transported by kayak to land, she appeared alert. Chevy has since been to the vet.
“Her vitals were awesome. They had no reason to keep her, so she was a trooper, very strong and stubborn,” said Sophia Hankee.
She did need a bath, after getting tagged by a skunk.
“Oh yes, a skunk. Who knows what else she encountered,” laughed Cheryl.
If dogs could talk, Chevy would have quite the story.
The family tells 69 News they feel incredibly thankful for all the support they received, including Geosits' tracking capabilities and the first responders' quick rescue efforts.
The fire company says quarry rescues don't often happen — maybe once a year.
An email from the department says: “All of us here at the Slatedale Fire Company and the surrounding companies that responded are very grateful Chevie survived and is okay!”
