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Pair Of “Mischievous Dogs” Get Rescued After Falling Through Ice

Two mischievous dogs who fell into the ice at Utah Park in Aurora, Colorado are lucky to be alive after being rescued by the Aurora Fire Rescue.

KDVR reports that the incident happened on Wednesday, December 11 when a bystander called 911 to report two small dogs who had fallen into the ice.

The ice that the dogs fell through was around 10-15 feet from the shore, KDVR also reveals.

Thankfully, Aurora Fire Rescue units are equipped and trained to perform ice rescues for anyone, whether it be humans or animals, that fall into the water or through the ice since the beginning of the year.

“AFR’s Engine 4 was first on-scene to perform the ice rescue, assisted by AFR’s Technical Rescue Team and multiple other AFR responders,” the Aurora Fire Rescue wrote in an Instagram post.

CBS News states that the dogs were able to pull themselves out of the water before the rescuers could reach them.

One dog even managed to ran away, and hasn’t been located by crews to help him. However, the second dog was able to receive care and the crews were able to restore its core body temperature.

After receiving necessary care, the second dog was turned over to Animal Control to help locate its owner and hopefully reunite them together.

“The city of Aurora has several bodies of water,” Aurora Fire Rescue said in a release. “These water areas can present safety hazards in cold weather if people or animals play in or around the ice.”

Furthermore, Aurora Fire Rescue reminded everyone to be cautious near water or ice. They wrote, “As temperatures begin to dip and Winter approaches, today’s incident serves as a reminder to use caution near ice and bodies of water this time of year.”

Along with this reminder were helpful Ice Safety Tips that the Fire Department shared.

One of the ice safety tips for pets read, “Never allow your pet to run out onto the ice and do not walk your pet near a frozen lake or pond without a leash. If your dog falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call for help.”

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First Therapy Dog To Work At A Police Station In Iowa Passes Away At 13

The state of Iowa’s first ever therapy dog to work at a police station has crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday, December 02, the Iowa State University Police (ISUPD) shares in an Instagram post.

The therapy dog, a Golden Retriever named Zosia, was originally born in Poland but lived in Iron Hill Retrievers in Delmar, IA for the first five years of her life.

Her career as a therapy dog began in October 2017 after going through rigorous training.

“Zosia began volunteering at multiple organizations in Story County and warmed the hearts of many,” ISUPD shared.

And it was on March of 2019 when she finally became the first therapy dog to work at a police station in the state of Iowa.

She worked with ISUPD for over five years before retiring in May of this year.

In ISUPD’s heartfelt message to Zosia, they revealed how the pooch touched the lives of thousands of community members and how “her kind and caring soul helped so many.”

“The majority of her time was spent comforting individuals working through mental health related concerns,” the Police Department shares.

“She responded to crisis calls, visited classrooms and residence halls, helped with mental health trainings, greeted incoming students at orientation, and supported individuals who came to talk about the difficult things they were experiencing.”

“She loved on people so well,” ISUPD Mental Health Advocate Supervisor and Zosia’s owner, Kinsey Hauser told the Iowa State Daily. “It didn’t matter who you are, what you’d gone through, she didn’t care. She loved everyone the same.”

Aside from being a therapy dog, ISUPD also shares how Zosia was the “best mom”.

“She had a few litters of puppies and multiple were donated to service dog organizations,” ISUPD reveals.

Zosia is reportedly survived by Hauser and her family, her grandson Zebediah, and great granddaughters Sydni and Lena.

“Zosia will be profoundly missed, fondly remembered, and forever cherished,” ISUPD wrote.

“Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren and the work they do at the Iowa State University Police Department.”

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Surfing Dog Gets Inducted Into Surfer’s Hall Of Fame In California

Sugar the Surfing Dog makes history by becoming the first dog to be inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California on Thursday, December 05.

NBC Bay Area reports that Sugar’s paw prints were immortalized in concrete alongside hooman surfing legends.

Before making history, the 14-year-old surfing dog had a rough start in life. As a puppy, she was abandoned on the side of the road in Oakland, California.

But Sugar was destined to for greatness in life. In 2011, while on vacation, Huntington Beach surfer Ryan Rustan found the pooch, and took her in.

During this time, Rustan was working through his drug addiction recovery, which the pooch helped him through.

You could say that they saved each other’s life and were meant to meet in that fateful day in 2011.

Rustan even credits the pooch with providing comfort and motivation during his recovery.  

“Some of the most amazing moments of my life [were] with her,” he said in an interview earlier this year.  

Today, Sugar is a 5-time World Dog Surf Champion, 5-time HB Surf City Dog Champion, Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge title, and a Surfers’ Hall of Fame Inductee.

In an Instagram post on Sugar’s official account, Rustan wrote, “This is something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. It was so beautiful.”

“A true legend who inspired us all with her big-wave bravery and shortboard skills. Congrats, Sugar—you’ve earned your spot in surf’s highest honor,” the Surf Dog Events wrote in an Instagram post.

Aside from surfing, Sugar is also a therapy dog and does surf therapy for a lot of kids, Rustan reveals.

“It’s not just about surfing against people but also putting smiles on the little kids’ faces and the athletes that are disabled. She gets to ride with them.”

The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony, according to its website, “pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry, and culture of surfing.”

By inducting Sugar the surfing dog, they are recognizing the impact that the pooch has made on the sport, and on people’s lives.

Lisa Scolman, organizer of the Surf City Surf Dog event, tells NBC Bay Area, “I always dreamed of having a dog in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, and no duo is more deserving than Ryan and Sugar.”

“Because of her, we started a shredder division, and dogs from around the world came to surf. Everyone wanted to compete against Sugar and Ryan.”