The Incredible Journey brought to life

[Scooter]

Puppy overboard in Lake Michigan swims 10 km ashore, walks 20 km to reunite with overjoyed owners

BEULAH, Mich. — A dog swam more than 10 kilometres and walked 20 km more to find its family after falling overboard into Lake Michigan during the weekend.

Edward Casas was boating on the lake Sunday with his wife, Kristin, and the family dog, a 10-month old Belgian Malinois named Rylee. Casas tells ABC News Rylee went overboard while he was in the engine room trying to figure out a mechanical problem with the boat and his wife was steering.

“Our hearts just sank,” he said. “We were gone for maybe 10 minutes, and then we couldn’t find her anywhere on the boat and she was nowhere to be seen in the water.”

Casas says he sent out a mayday call on the radio and was connected to a volunteer group that searches for lost dogs.

“She is a very strong dog so she had a great chance of swimming to shore if she wasn’t picked up by a fishing boat,” the group, Lost Dog Search Team, told its members.

And that’s what Rylee did. The next morning — more than 10 hours after the dog was last seen — someone spotted Rylee going into a nearby campground.

Lynn Fiedor who runs Lost Dog Search Team said the breed is known for its athleticism and intelligence, and she was confident Rylee would make it to shore.

“It was amazing. She literally swam over six miles and walked over 12 miles more through the woods.”

The family rushed to the campground with Rylee’s toys and some food. Within minutes she bounded from the trees.

Edward Casas says there was a lot of sobbing and hugging when the family was reunited. “Let me tell you, I’m not the kind of guy that cries, but oh did this make me cry.”

[BoSoxGal]

Great story! That said, they do make excellent and affordable life vests for dogs, which dogs should wear while boating. It would ensure the dog doesn't drown, if not so athletic as this one.

[rubato]

Great story! That said, they do make excellent and affordable life vests for dogs, which dogs should wear while boating. It would ensure the dog doesn't drown, if not so athletic as this one.

They come with handles. Very convenient esp for positioning small to medium-sized dogs on sailboats. Our friends have a Westy that sports his on board.


yrs,
rubato

[RayThom]

Puppy overboard in Lake Michigan swims 10 km ashore, walks 20 km to reunite with overjoyed owners

Throw in a bike ride and you got an "IronDog" triathlete.

[Bicycle Bill]

Did someone say "bicycle ride"?



-"BB"-

[oldr_n_wsr]

To me "bike ride" involves a motorized cycle.
No peddling involved.

[MajGenl.Meade]

They come with handles. Very convenient esp for positioning small to medium-sized dogs on sailboats.

A dog with handles? Excellent!

[rubato]

Like so:



"who you lookin' at?"


yrs,
rubato

[MajGenl.Meade]

[Big RR]

Didn't I see him at a Georgia Game?