I think most of us can agree that being on a boat that is sinking would probably be terrifying. For one man in Australia, he was lucky enough that he has his best friend by his side when he ran into a bit of trouble on the high seas.
Heidi, a German Shepherd, was by her owner’s side when his boat went down – and this brave girl is now being hailed a heroine for helping to save his life.
According to a press release by the Queensland Police, officers in Moreton Bay, Australia were alerted to the situation by fisherman who had spotted the dog in the water – swimming beside what appeared to be a tackle box, a wetsuit, as well as other items that seemed be coming from a boat in distress.
Authorities rescued Heidi from the water and rushed her to the vet’s for a check-up. Meanwhile, the Brisbane Water Police rescued her owner.
According to the same statement by police, Heidi’s owner, a 63-year-old man, was found “clinging” to a boat in Moreton Bay only hours later. He revealed to the police that his boat had lost power the previous evening and then quickly filled with water before it went down.
At the vet, Heidi was declared uninjured. The vet was blown away that the dog had tread water for roughly 11 hours while she waited with her owner for rescue. Her owner was also taken to the hospital after he was rescued but didn’t have any serious injuries.
In the meantime, Heidi was well taken care of at the police department. They fed her and gave her plenty of love at the police department while her owner was in the hospital – and they even made Heidi an honorary police dog.
Senior Sergeant Jay Bairstow of the Brisbane Water Police said, “We would take this opportunity to remind boaties to plan for the worst when they’re out on the water. Always wear [a] personal flotation device and ensure that your safety equipment [is] tested and in good order.”
Bairstow then added, “Thankfully there was a happy ending to this search and Heidi was able to be our honorary PD for the day.”
So happy to hear that both Heidi and her owner are doing well.
Watch, please, the below vide0! : )