In a remarkable turn of events, a casual fishing trip transformed into a full-scale rescue operation when two friends discovered 38 dogs struggling in the waters of a lake.
The friends, Bob Gist, 61, from Arkansas and Brad Carlisle from Tennessee, had planned a day of fishing at Grenada Lake in Mississippi, according to The Independent. They were joined by Jordan Chrestman, a local fishing guide, in what was expected to be a day of relaxation and camaraderie.
However, the day took an unexpected turn when the group, having had little luck at their initial fishing spot, decided to relocate. It was at this new location that they heard the distant barking of dogs. "We go about a half mile or so from where we were to another place and we start fishing, and pretty soon we can hear some dogs barking," Gist recounted to Fox News.
Despite the unusual occurrence, the group continued to fish for about 10 to 15 minutes until Chrestman noticed several dogs far out in the water. With the group's agreement, he decided to investigate. Upon reaching the area, the men were astounded by the sight of numerous dogs, all seemingly lost in the vast expanse of the lake.
"Were just flabbergasted because its dogs everywhere, and theyre all going in different directions because they can no longer see the bank on either side," Gist told Fox News. He further noted that all the dogs were hunting breeds, identifiable by their expensive GPS radio collars.
As reported by The Independent, the group later discovered that the dogs were participants in a nearby annual fox run. Chrestman speculated that a deer in the water had lured the dogs into the lake during their chase. Without a moment's hesitation, the three men sprang into action, coaxing the dogs onto their boat by grabbing their collars and calling them.
The rescue operation quickly escalated as the boat filled with wet dogs. Overwhelmed, the men had to ferry the first batch of dogs to the shore. Chrestman managed to rescue between 25 to 27 dogs initially. Upon reaching the shore, Gist told Fox News that the dogs' frantic owners were waiting.
After returning to the lake to rescue the remaining dogs, another man with a GPS tracker for the dogs joined the mission. The tracker helped locate three to four more dogs, which Gist said were "on the verge of drowning, because now they have been treading water for an hour.
By the end of the operation, the friends had rescued a total of 38 dogs from Grenada Lake. Gist shared with Fox News the distressing scene when they returned to the ramp with the last group of dogs. "We were having to drag them out of the boat because they didnt want to get out of our boat. They were scared they were going back to the water. It was terrible."
Gist credited Chrestman as the hero of the day, stating that the dog owners even offered him money for his quick thinking, which he declined. This unexpected rescue mission underscores the importance of vigilance and quick action in the face of unforeseen circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in outdoor activities, even those as seemingly harmless as a fox run.
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