Illinois fisherman Bryant Fritz spotted a cage with a small dog trapped inside, floating in Kaufman Lake.
The Fisherman Acted Quickly
Nobody else was around to help, so Fritz knew he had to be the one to rescue the dog.
Without worrying about himself, Fritz jumped into the cold November water, grabbed the cage, and carried the shivering puppy away from that terrible situation.
Almost Drown and Wounded
Once out of the chilling water, the puppy, whom Bryant later named Dory, was clearly in bad shape.
As Bryant dragged her up the slope away from the lake, it was evident that Dory’s struggle went beyond her near-drowning.
Her body had many wounds that showed she had a rough life, more than what the water could have done alone.
Quick Help for the Cold Puppy
Fritz took Dory to the University of Illinois Veterinary Hospital, where her condition was found critical.
Her body temperature had plummeted to a dangerously low level, not even registering on the thermometer.
“She was less than 90 degrees, which we know is a pretty extreme hypothermia,” Dr. Jenica Haraschak said.
As she slowly began to warm, her caregivers also uncovered other injuries suggestive of prolonged abuse.
A Special Connection
As the puppy got better, a special bond grew between her and Fritz.
He felt a connection with this tough little survivor because he had just lost his own dog.
“If she survives, I want to adopt that dog,” Fritz said, hoping to make the puppy part of his family once the local animal control says it’s okay.
Healing More Than Just Wounds
While Dory’s physical wounds were tended to, it was clear her emotional scars ran just as deep.
Yet, as days turned into weeks, the little survivor’s spirit showed signs of healing.
Each day, she got a little better, warming up in spirit as well as in her body.
She still craved human contact and kept looking for love and cuddles from anyone around, offering puppy kisses in return.
A Step Closer to a Happier Life
Bryant knew that Dory was scared of water after what she’d been through.
So, he gently helped her get used to it again, a little bit at a time, without ever forcing her.
With patience and encouragement, Dory, wearing her life jacket, began to swim, gradually overcoming her fear.
“To me, it felt like there was closure to this horrible situation that she started in and that she was going to have the opportunity to have a full, complete, happy, healthy life after that,” Bryant said.
Just Keep Swimming
Dory’s remarkable recovery teaches us an important lesson about resilience and moving forward, no matter what life throws at us.
“Just keep swimming” isn’t just a phrase; it’s a mindset that Dory embodies, showing us that we can overcome our challenges with a bit of help and a lot of courage.
Her story encourages us all to keep going, face our fears, and embrace life’s journey with an open heart.
