Charlie Bolts

Charlie, a young German Shepherd had just arrived at the JFK airport Friday night from a breeder in the Czech Republic to meet his owner, Irina Frid. As she was closing the front gate to her Manhattan Beach home Monday night, Charlie bolted through it. Irina blames jet lag and stress for Charlies reasons to run away.

Charlie ran straight for the water and dove in, swimming straight out to sea. Frid and a neighbor watched helplessly and heartbroken as he swam for the horizon.

Frid later joked that the dog decided to swim back to the Czech Republic.

Stopped Paddling

Charlie swam for forty minutes and nearly disappeared from view when Frid saw a boat approach. New York City harbor police officers Benjamin Reiver and Edward Carr, noticed the dog and realized they had to act quickly. Charlie was exhausted and stopped paddling. Just  as he was only able to float and keep his snout above water, the officers used a dog noose to haul him to safety.

Kisses For Everyone

Frid excitedly met the police boat at the dock where she tackled and kissed Charlie. According to the New York Daily News, Charlie wasn’t the only one to get a smooch. She asked if she could kiss the two police officers as well.

“It’s okay if your husband allows it,” they told her.

“I told them to come to my house anytime for barbecue,” she added. “You’re like a godfather to Charlie now.”

Aside from exhaustion, Charlie was otherwise in good condition.

Based on a story from lifewithdogs