Man's dramatic rescue of dog from freezing river in Vermont caught on video
When Chris MacRitchie spotted a dog struggling to stay afloat in a frigid Vermont river, he didn't hesitate to act. Without a moment's thought, he jumped into the icy waters, navigating about 20 feet to bring the stranded pup, later identified as Arizona, back to safety. This daring rescue, which took place in Berlin, Vermont, unfolded dramatically on video, shared widely across social media platforms.
The incident began when MacRitchie's son, Ace, noticed the dog while they were at a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru. Concerned for the animal’s safety, MacRitchie felt compelled to intervene, reflecting on his own experiences as a dog owner. He expressed a sense of duty to help the dog, wishing for the same would be done for his pets in a similar situation.
As captured in the video, MacRitchie approached the icy embankment, calling out to Arizona while his wife, Erica, encouraged him. Wading through the cold water, he gasped from the shock of the chill but was relieved to find the water was only waist-deep. He lifted Arizona out of the river and brought her to Erica, showcasing his quick thinking and bravery in a dangerous situation.
After the rescue, MacRitchie reached out to Arizona's owner, Morgan Cerasoli, whose contact information was on the dog's tag. Cerasoli, who had been searching for her seven-year-old mutt since Thursday, was overwhelmed with gratitude upon receiving the call that her dog was safe. She expressed her love and appreciation to MacRitchie for his selfless act.
Cerasoli's emotional reaction continued when she saw the video of the rescue. She praised MacRitchie's bravery and selflessness, remarking on the significance of such actions in a world where they can often seem rare. Thankfully, Arizona is recovering, although a checkup revealed she is suffering from Lyme disease. The heartwarming reunion between Cerasoli and her dog serves as a reminder of the compassion that can be found in individuals willing to help those in need.