There are incredible tales that rejuvenate our belief in humanity, and the one concerning Tofu, a minuscule dog lost at sea, is certainly one of those!
This little pup was recently spotted wandering freely in a Long Beach parking area, but when a group of compassionate bystanders attempted to assist her, she fled towards the ocean in fright.
The circumstances escalated when Tofu chose to swim out into the sea until she was too distant to be rescued. Lifeguards who were on duty responsive to the alarm about the unfortunate dog promptly sprang into action, making Tofu’s rescue one of the most remarkable events in 2023!
Spotted In The Ocean
Long Beach Lifeguards reacted promptly to the distress call, yet Tofu was already too far into the open waters to be detected. It was around 6 PM when the team was alerted, and the setting sun complicated matters significantly.
“This evening around 5:45 PM, a group of altruistic individuals tried to apprehend a lost dog in the Junipero parking area, but the scared canine dashed into the water and began swimming out to sea,” the LBL team noted on social media.
When the lifeguards located this Californian pup using their binoculars, she was already battling against the frigid waves. She was desperately trying to stay afloat, but it became clear that Tofu was fatigued.
“We see little Tofu’s head maybe two to three hundred yards out and still swimming out to sea,” remarked officer McColl.
Heroic Rescue Mission
Officer Chase McColl was the hero of the day! He took his rescue board, leaped into the ocean, and swam towards Tofu in just minutes! Upon nearing her, this frightened pup swam directly towards him, relieved to see a human being close by.
She was still in shock, but McColl ensured to soothe her before getting her out of the water.
“I rushed over and she came right to me, and just grabbed her, placed her on the rescue board, and held her for a moment to hopefully help calm her down,” shares Tofu’s big-hearted rescuer.
Eventually, both paddled back to the coast successfully. Although she was safe, Tofu was still wary of her surroundings, but once dried off, she perked up and began to frolic around joyfully!
The big-hearted officers reached out to Animal Services to assist in determining if the dog had an owner, and just a few days later – he appeared!
Reunited With Her Owner
Tofu and her owner, Jason, shared the most heartwarming reunion after her little “ocean adventure.” Upon spotting him at the station, she bolted into his arms, welcoming her owner with boundless enthusiasm!
Jason had reported his dog as missing but had never, ever in his wildest dreams envisioned that she would end up fighting for her survival in the sea.
He was immensely thankful that his little girl was saved just in time! He got to meet his hero, officer McColl, who recounted the entire rescue saga with him.
Jason was astonished that Tofu swam directly into the ocean since she typically despises water and baths.
He simply couldn’t fathom that she had chosen to leap into the water, even after she was clearly frightened. Evidently, Tofu was in considerable shock once she realized she was all alone, distanced from her family.
Although her little escapade at the ocean was perilous, everything turned out well, thanks to the compassionate team of rescuers who didn’t hesitate to save this tiny dog’s life.
We sincerely wish that Tofu and her owner will create many unforgettable memories together in the future. And, moving forward, we hope Tofu keeps her distance from the ocean!