Chicago first responders rescued a dog and his owner from an icy pond, after the dog's owner jumped in to save him.
Bailey, anĀ 11-year-old yellow labrador retriever, ran into the water to chase after ducks and quickly became trapped in the icy pond. After seeing her dog's life on the line, Bailey's owner Cathy Medernach told reporters in Aurora, "She went running after the ducks. I just wanted to get close to her and let her know itās OK, itās OK."
Medernach grabbed her canoe from the shed and headed towards the icy waters without a second thought. Using a broom for an oar, she began making her way towards her dog, but ran into a dangerous road block.
āAs soon as I took that first brush through, I fell in,ā Medernach said.
Medernach joined Bailey in the dangerously icy waters, and both became trapped. If it wasn't for Medernach's eight-year-old son, the story could have had a much different ending.
āIām like, āI canāt die like this, I canāt let her die like this, Iām not gonna die like this,āā Medernach says.
Medernach's son Caden saw the problematic situation and quickly called 9-1-1. Emergency crews arrived in time to rescue the dog and his owner from the pond.
Thankfully, both were rescued without incident. Although Fire Marshal Javon Cross warned residents to stay off the ice, Medernach said she'd do it again without hesitation, but she'd probably call 9-1-1 first.
Watch CBS Aurora's coverage below:
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