Dog lover in midnight pond rescue (From Chard & Ilminster News)
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Dog lover in midnight pond rescue
8:42am Thursday 14th December 2006 in Chard By Matthew Colledge
A CHARD dog lover braved howling winds and rain to rescue a drowning Border Terrier from her pond last week.
Chris Durie, 61, of Touchstone Lane, hauled the exhausted dog to safety with a broom after it fell in in search of a drink at midnight last Wednesday.
Mrs Durie was alerted to the animal's plight by a loud whimpering outside her house.
She said: "I was going to bed quite late when I heard this awful crying. I thought it was probably a fox killing a rabbit. Then I saw something scrabbling in our pond."
Mrs Durie saw the terrier's head was beneath the water and rushed indoors to fetch a broom.
She said: "He was obviously sinking. Another five minutes and he would have died."
Mrs Durie took the soaking dog indoors and let him warm by her aga before tending him through the night.
She said: "I wrapped him up in towels and hugged him and gave him some bread and milk. He was so thirsty. I think that's why he jumped in the pond.
"I was devastated when I saw him. It's heartbreaking seeing all the scratch marks round the pond where he tried to get out."
Mrs Durie, who owns three Great Danes, said: "I absolutely love dogs and would have loved to have kept him. I don't think he was from around here. I think he must have been stray for a couple of days."
The terrier is now being looked after at Laburnum Kennels in Crewkerne.
Kennel owner Jill Moore praised Mrs Durie and her husband Andrew. She said: "They are obviously real dog lovers and very caring people."
She said if no owner comes forward within seven days she would look to find the dog a new home.
She said: "I have had two people already register their interest. He is a lovely dog and very sociable, but the best scenario would be if the owner came in."
If you know the owner of the dog, call South Somerset District Council on 01935-462462 and ask for Lyndsey Gempton or phone Laburnum Kennels on 01460-75526.
