“It’s not often [we get] a call like this.”
Meet Matilda — a spirited golden retriever whose bold curiosity recently led her on an unexpected adventure.
Last month, Matilda was riding in the car with her mom across an overpass above New York’s Muscoot Reservoir when her playful instincts took over. Sticking her head out the window, she suddenly decided she wanted to explore — and before her mom could react, the fearless pup leapt from the moving car and plunged about 25 feet into the reservoir below.
Matilda splashed into the water, swam determinedly, and made her way to a small island nearby. Her frantic mom immediately called for help, and the Katonah Fire Department (KFD) sprang into action.
Within minutes, ten firefighters arrived on the scene, carrying an inflatable rescue boat down to the water’s edge. They carefully navigated across the reservoir until they spotted Matilda nestled among the green brush on the island.
“Once the responders got to her, she was very cooperative and had no issue being picked up and brought into the boat,” a KFD representative told The Dodo.
Amazingly, Matilda escaped the ordeal without a single injury — just soaked fur and a tired tail.
After being safely ferried back to shore, she was joyfully reunited with her relieved mom. The firefighters couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.
“It’s not often KFD gets a call like this,” the representative said. “Everyone was very happy with how quickly we were able to reach Matilda and get her back safely to her owner.”
What started as a heart-stopping moment ended as a heartwarming rescue — and a reminder that even the most adventurous dogs sometimes need a little help finding their way home.