Dog Swims 4km In Pursuit Of Henry The Sea Lion

[poodlefan]

Linky

A VERY determined dog had to be rescued by lifesavers 4km off-shore at Semaphore Park, after surviving an hour in the water chasing local icon Henry the sea lion.

The dog, called Westie, was walking with his owner along the beach last Thursday morning when he dashed off into the water after Henry and refused to come back, the Portside Messenger reported.

Soon the pair were lost from sight over the horizon as 300kg Henry led the dog further and further out to sea, leaving Westie’s owner, who gave his name to lifesavers as Leroy, frantic on the beach.

Leroy called the police, who in turn alerted Surf Life Saving SA state duty officer John Charles, who called the Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club.

Club captain Craig Van Tenac and vice captain Matthew Cole then raced to the rescue.

“We just kept following our search pattern and ... Matthew eventually spotted him.

“I’d say it was 4km offshore - that dog swam forever.

“The dog was still chasing the sea lion,” Van Tenac said.

“All up we reckon they were out there for 45-60 minutes.

“Most dogs will fall down after six or seven minutes of swimming, so it’s pretty amazing it stayed in for 60 minutes.”

Westie was rubbing his nose against Henry who was rolling around playfully in the water, he said. Despite the dog’s stamina, Van Tenac doubted Westie, who he thought was a kelpie, would have made it back to shore.

He said the dog’s owner was much relieved to have him back safely

Lucky there were no sharks about

Edited to add more from the Portside Messenger

Westie was rubbing his nose against Henry who was rolling around playfully in the water, he said. Despite the dog’s stamina, Van Tenac doubted Westie, who he thought was a kelpie, would have made it back to shore.

He said the dog’s owner was much relieved to have him back safely.

“He said ‘thank you, boys’ and he was definitely going to get his young daughter down to the surf club to sign up.”

Esplanade resident Val Wales said Henry was most commonly sighted at Glenelg but often ventured up the coast and lazed on the Semaphore breakwater.

Edited November 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[LizT]

Naughty dog.

Are they getting him a leash too?

[jazawayaya]

:-O

Not fair! I go to that beach quite often and I have never seen the seal

[freundhund]

That is amazing, I am sure that somewhere maybe a David Attenborough program that seals and dogs come from the same evolutionary branch.

[poochmad]

Thank goodness there was a happy ending to this and the dog didn't tire and drown.

[pebbles]

Friend and I were walking the dogs down at the Lang Lang foreshore some years ago when her Irish Setter decided to go for a swim, just kept going out! We had to find a guy with a boat who went out and rescued him, not as far out as the other one though. Guess who was never off lead again at the beach?