Hero Delivery Man Jumps Into Icy Pond To Save Drowning Dog: 'She Wasn't Going To Make It'

Oct 24, 2019

For Ryan Arens, it was a regular workday as he traveled on his route as a delivery man. However, on this particular day, Ryan stopped his route when he heard odd sounds that seemed to sound like a dog in distress. 

The dog was fighting for its life, drowning in the icy, freezing water. Ryan could see that the dog was surrounded by ice about 10-15 feet from the shore. The dog was unable to swim back to shore because the ice was blocking it in, leaving her trapped. Another man was on a rowboat on the pond trying to reach the dog as well but was making little success.

 "I stripped to my boxers and got the guy out of the boat. Then I slid the boat out onto the ice, using it to distribute my weight," Ryan said to Great Falls Tribune. "I shimmed out to where the ice was thin."

However, the boat crashed through the ice with Ryan splashing in but he immediately sprung into action to get the dog out of the water. After both the dog and Ryan both made it out he said they went into a neighbors house to warm up.

He commented to the publication,  "I knew someone had to get to her. She wasn't going to make it."

A few days later, he found out the dog’s name was Sadie, a two-and-a-half-year-old wirehaired pointing griffon. Ryan just happened to have a package that needed to be delivered to Sadie’s owners. When Sadie saw her hero she immediately started going crazy, clearly recognizing him. It was an incredible rescue and an incredible reunion.

"This dog had a whole lot of life left in her, and I'm really glad I was able to act when I did. She's a sweetheart," Ryan said. 

Would you have jumped in the icy water to save Sadie? Tell us below. This story is so touching and so heartwarming; pass it along to anyone who could use a smile today!